Marquinhos completes PSG’s late comeback at Lille
Paris Saint-Germain drew 2-2 at Lille on Friday after scoring twice in stoppage time. Hákon Arnar Haraldsson put Lille ahead in the 21st minute after Olivier Giroud’s reverse pass, before Dilane Bakwa doubled the hosts’ advantage in the 84th minute. Vitinha responded with a superb strike in the first added minute, then crossed for captain Marquinhos to head in the equaliser with the final act. Kick-off had been delayed by 15 minutes because of a ticketing-system problem. The result left the defending champions without a Ligue 1 victory after two matches, following another 2-2 draw at Rennes on the opening weekend.
Lille appeared set to secure a notable victory under new manager Davide Ancelotti, having defended their lead for almost the entire match. PSG instead repeated the late recovery that had rescued them against Rennes, although the pattern has exposed a lack of early control and defensive security. Vitinha’s goal restored belief, while Marquinhos provided the decisive intervention, but the champions have taken only two points from their first two league fixtures. Lille’s frustration was intensified by the added time: according to Goal, president Olivier Létang reacted angrily and described the refereeing decision as “a scandal!” after the late equaliser.
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Le Havre sign Algeria defender Ahmed Touba on loan
Le Havre announced on Friday that Algeria international defender Ahmed Touba had joined the Ligue 1 club on loan from Panathinaikos until the end of the season. The deal brought the 28-year-old, who can also play at left-back, back to France after his recent spell in the Greek league. Touba was born in France and developed in Belgium, where he represented several youth teams before choosing Algeria at senior level. His previous club career included time with Club Brugge and other Belgian sides, as well as spells in Bulgaria, Turkey and Italy. Le Havre said the signing had been in preparation for around 10 years.
Touba’s arrival gives Le Havre an experienced defensive option with exposure to several European leagues and international football. The club’s announcement highlighted the long-running nature of its interest, saying contact was first made while he was at Club Brugge. His ability to operate centrally or on the left could offer additional flexibility across the campaign, while the temporary structure allows Le Havre to assess his contribution before deciding on longer-term planning. For Touba, the move represents an opportunity to return to French top-flight football and continue his career in a league where his early recruitment was first explored.
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Marseille leave door open for Sunderland’s Igor Paixao interest
Marseille sporting director Gregory Lorenzi stopped short of ruling out Igor Paixao’s departure amid reported interest from Sunderland. The Brazilian winger has been heavily linked with a late move to the Premier League club, although the sides had not reached an agreement when Lorenzi addressed the situation. Speaking in comments quoted by RMC Sport, Lorenzi described Paixao as an important player for Marseille while acknowledging that the club faced financial constraints. He said there were still a few days left in the transfer window and that “a lot can happen”, leaving the player’s position unresolved as the deadline approached.
Marseille’s stance reflected a tension between sporting and financial priorities. Lorenzi said the club wanted to retain its best players, but also needed to find solutions because selling a player did not necessarily guarantee that a replacement could be secured. That makes any decision over Paixao potentially significant for Roberto De Zerbi’s squad, particularly if Sunderland improve their proposal late in the window. The comments amount to neither confirmation of a transfer nor a firm commitment to keep the winger; they instead preserve room for negotiations while Marseille weigh immediate squad strength against financial pressures.
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Newcastle face €60m asking price for Lille winger Fernandez-Pardo
Newcastle United have held talks over a possible move for Lille winger Matias Fernandez-Pardo, according to The Northern Echo, but Lille’s €60 million valuation has so far made an agreement unlikely. Newcastle regard another attacking player as a priority before Tuesday’s transfer deadline, after completing the £50 million signing of Nico Gonzalez from Manchester City. RB Leipzig have also had a bid rejected for the Belgium international, while Aston Villa and Liverpool have reportedly held exploratory discussions. Newcastle’s interest therefore sits within a wider contest for the player, with Lille understood to be demanding a substantial fee.
The current asking price means Newcastle would need Lille to reduce their valuation before the deal could progress. The Northern Echo reported that officials accepted an agreement was unlikely unless that happened, limiting the time available for negotiations before the window closes. For Lille, the interest underlines Fernandez-Pardo’s market appeal but also places pressure on the club to decide whether a major sale fits its sporting plans. Newcastle, meanwhile, must judge whether the winger represents sufficient value to fill their attacking need, rather than committing to a deal at Lille’s present figure.
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PSG renew Coca-Cola partnership through 2029
Paris Saint-Germain and Coca-Cola renewed their commercial partnership for three years through 2029, according to SportsMint Media. Coca-Cola will remain an official partner, with the agreement covering fan engagement across football, entertainment, culture, music and lifestyle. The arrangement also includes a new Coca-Cola experiential space at the Parc des Princes, where immersive activities and exclusive events will be staged for supporters. A limited-edition can celebrating PSG’s 2025-26 campaign will also be produced, with around 400,000 cans scheduled for distribution from 12 October through more than 650 Carrefour stores in the Île-de-France region.
The renewal extends a commercial relationship that has lasted more than two decades and adds a physical activation at PSG’s stadium. It forms part of the club’s broader effort to build partnerships beyond matchday sponsorship, connecting the team with entertainment and lifestyle audiences as well as football supporters. Powerade, Coca-Cola’s sports-drink brand, will also be involved in athletic-focused activations. For PSG, the agreement provides a further long-term commercial commitment during a season in which the club is defending its domestic title and continuing to expand its international profile.
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