Clinical Marseille Humiliate Ajax in 4-0 Champions League Rout

MARSEILLE, FRANCE – Olympique de Marseille delivered a sensational and ruthless performance on Tuesday night, routing a hapless Ajax side 4-0 at the Stade Vélodrome to secure their first victory in this season's UEFA Champions League League Phase. The emphatic result, fueled by a brilliant attacking display from the duo of Igor Paixão and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, compounds the early-season woes for the Dutch giants.

The victory serves as a strong statement of intent from Marseille, who rebounded brilliantly from their opening match defeat, while the four-goal thrashing equals Ajax's worst-ever Champions League away defeat.

First-Half Blitz Sets the Tone

Marseille wasted no time in seizing control, exposing a fragile Ajax defense with blistering pace and clinical finishing.

The opening goal arrived in just the 6th minute. A smart flick from veteran striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang played Igor Paixão in behind the high Ajax backline. The Brazilian forward raced clear and curled a fine finish past goalkeeper Vitezslav Jaros to open the scoring.

Just six minutes later, Paixão was celebrating again. Capitalizing on a turnover in the midfield, the winger unleashed an excellent, powerful drive from the edge of the penalty area that found the bottom-left corner, doubling Marseille's lead in the 12th minute.

The quick-fire double left Ajax reeling, and the French side continued their onslaught. In the 26th minute, Mason Greenwood was next to get on the scoresheet, playing off another decisive assist from Aubameyang. The English forward cut through the defense before coolly slotting the ball home for a dominant 3-0 lead before the half-hour mark.

Aubameyang Seals the Rout and Sets Records

Any hopes of an unlikely Ajax comeback were extinguished early in the second half by the man who had been the architect of the first.

In the 52nd minute, Marseille hit Ajax with a classic counter-attack. A rapid transition, started by the brilliant Paixão, resulted in a cross finding Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who finished from close range to make it a staggering 4-0.

Aubameyang’s performance was historic: at 36 years and 104 days old, he became the oldest player in Champions League history to be involved in three or more goals in a single match (one goal, two assists). Paixão, with his two goals and one assist, also contributed to a record, as it was the first time two Marseille players had been involved in three or more goals in the same Champions League match.

A Night of Contrasts

While Marseille's attack flourished, Ajax struggled to create meaningful chances. Their attempts to get back into the game were mostly nullified by a solid Marseille defense, with late efforts from the likes of Oscar Gloukh and Kenneth Taylor failing to trouble the home goalkeeper.

The result provides a massive confidence boost for Marseille, launching their European campaign in style. For Ajax, who have now suffered two consecutive defeats in the competition, the heavy loss and the defensive fragility showcased raise serious questions for coach John Heitinga, with the Amsterdam club now facing intense pressure to turn their season around.

Full-Time Score: Olympique de Marseille 4-0 Ajax

Goalscorers:

• Igor Paixão (6', 12')

• Mason Greenwood (26')

• Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (52')