Mason Greenwood arose late to steal the headlines once again for Marseille as the former Manchester United forward grabbed a late winner against Monaco in Ligue 1
Mason Greenwood #10 of Marseille celebrates scoring the third goal of his team during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD6 match between R. Union Saint-Gilloise and Marseille
Mason Greenwood attracted plaudits in the French press following his latest winner for Marseille(Image: Getty Images)
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Deja vu struck at the Stade Velodrome as Mason Greenwood took the spotlight in another December win over Monaco. Just like he did almost exactly 12 months ago, the ex-Manchester United prospect stepped up to deliver the deciding strike against Les Monegasques on Sunday.
Greenwood, 24, scored the only goal of the game in the 82nd minute after latching onto Pierre Emile-Hojbjerg's pass just inside the box. He proceeded to unleash a ferocious finish into the top-right corner, sending the home fans at the Velodrome into raptures.
The result keeps Marseille in the hunt for the Ligue 1 title, five points off leaders Lens and only four from titleholders PSG. And the reaction from the French media largely centred around Greenwood's saviour status, albeit with additional praise devoted to Marseille goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli.
Le Figaro described Greenwood as "indispensable" following his late intervention, and not for the first time of late after his brace against Union Saint-Gilloise rescued a 3-2 Champions League result last week. A glowing report read: "Lively at times, then quiet, the English striker once again produced a moment of brilliance to rescue his team."
Rulli and Nayef Aguerd had their own moments of heroism in the closing stages to preserve the clean sheet. Yet again, [Foot Mercato](http://Under pressure for much of the match, Marseille secured this hard-fought win and can thank Rulli and Greenwood for this laborious victory.)'s most prominent plaudits were saved for Greenwood following his moment of magic.
Marseille's Mason Greenwood, right, celebrates after scoring during the French League One soccer match between Marseille and Monaco in Marseille
Greenwood was surrounded by his Marseille team-mates following the late decider(Image: AP)
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A passage from its match recap read: "Under pressure for much of the match, Marseille secured this hard-fought win and can thank Rulli and Greenwood for this laborious victory."
Le Phoceen was even more gushing in its praise of the former England international. Greenwood was awarded a match rating of 8.5 out of 10, level with Rulli as the highest rank of any player at the Velodrome.
"Another commanding performance from Greenwood, who played with the impression that he could decide the fate of a play at will," read the match summary. "His first half was bursting with activity: he dropped deep, accelerated 20 metres, broke lines, and forced Monaco to defend deep."
Marseille manager Roberto De Zerbi, who recently backed Greenwood to challenge for the Ballon d'Or, confirmed after the game he was close to taking him off moments before his decider. And he highlighted the player's unpredictability as a result, able to flip the switch almost at will.
Mason Greenwood #10 of Olympique de Marseille in action during the Ligue 1 McDonald's match between Olympique de Marseille and AS Monaco at Stade Velodrome
The Englishman was described as "lively" throughout but surged late to earn all three points(Image: Getty Images)
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"Even when the team was under pressure, he continued to create danger with his dribbling and changes of pace. And then there was that clinical goal: control, a quick finish, top corner, no question about it," his boss said.
Le Meridional went one step further in its acclamation and dubbed Greenwood "unstoppable," even if only in that clutch moment. The reward was Marseille keeping third place in Ligue 1, made all the more satisfying given the key moment came against a fierce rival.
"Unstoppable, 1-0 to Marseille," read its report on the defining goal. "The goalscorer takes off his shirt in euphoria, receives a yellow card, but most importantly scores his 11th Ligue 1 goal of the season, cementing his status as the linchpin of Marseille's attack. His 32nd goal in 49 league matches."