By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: 21:22 GMT, 21 January 2026 | Updated: 21:23 GMT, 21 January 2026
MARSEILLE, France (AP) - The Marseille defensive wall had no solid foundation and Dominik Szoboszlai's trick free kick gave Liverpool the lead in the Champions League on Wednesday.
The game was goalless entering stoppage time at the end of the first half when Liverpool was awarded a free kick for a foul 20 meters (yards) from the Marseille goal.
Four Marseille players stood in a defensive wall with no extra protection from a teammate lying stretched on the turf behind them, intended to block a low shot when they all jump.
That prone position is a relatively recent addition to soccer's defensive strategy and is commonly seen - just not this time at the Velodrome.
All four Marseille players leaped in unison, and Szoboszlai struck his shot low and true beneath them, beyond the dive of goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli.
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Liverpool players celebrate after Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai scored his side's opening goal during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Marseille and Liverpool in Marseille, France, Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Philippe Magoni)
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