Racing took second place at OM and returns to three lengths of the leader, who plays in Troyes Sunday (20:45) his match of the 34th matchday of Ligue 1.
A goal on a cannon strike from his captain, Seko Fofana (42), and a header from his offensive leader, Loïs Openda (60) gave victory to the Lensois, who played better the important shots than the Marseillais, returned too late by Dimitri Payet (88).
Igor Tudor's players can ruminate on the goal denied to Alexis Sanchez (8) for a slight contact with Kevin Danso, guilty of lightness, which the referee Clément Turpin had first validated.
Like this decision, the key moments have all turned in favor of the Artesians.
Marseille's Dimitri Payet (l) in front of Lens defender Jonathan Gradit, on May 6, 2023 at the Bollaert © stadium Denis Charlet / AFP
Samuel Gigot was the first to leave on injury, hit an ankle and replaced by Léo Balerdi (29). Then there was the magnificent stop of Brice Samba on a shot by Jordan Veretout (45+2), shortly after the opening of the score, or the injury of OM's best offensive weapon, "El Nino Maravilla" Sanchez.
Sanchez injured
Victim of a crutch in a thigh, the Chilean did not return after the break, replaced by Vitinha (46).
More incisive, Lens deserved their three points, and confirmed their title as the best team in France at home this season, with 15 wins, one draw and one loss, beating the best team in France away.
The Blood and Gold also confirmed their mastery of major events: against the first four they beat OM twice, Monaco twice, and PSG once.
The Lensois Lois Openda (r) scores the 2nd goal of his team against Marseille, on May 6, 2023 at the Bollaert © stadium DENIS CHARLET / AFP
Captain Fofana led the charge, taking advantage of a ball that dragged in front of the arc of the penalty area to send a powerful untouchable strike for Pau Lopez (42).
Twenty minutes earlier in the same exercise the Ivorian had hit the post (22).
On the hour mark, the Belgian Openda scored his tenth goal in eight games, taking advantage of a clever centre from Przemyslaw Frankowski at the second post.
In this shock, the tension was palpable. After the scuffles in town between ultras of the two teams, the tone went up a notch on the field when Facundo Medina kicked a ball too much on the pitch towards the Marseille bench, triggering a strong reaction.
Two deputies were excluded, Yannick Cahuzac on the Lensois side and Gilles Marambaud on the Marseille side. The Argentine provocateur received a warning (23).
Lens at least in the Europa League
Shortly after this incident, Croatian Tudor lost Gigot, then his composure on a foul not whistled by Clement Turpin and received a yellow (37).
His players still spent a lot of energy, but Payet's goal came too late to prevent Lens from overtaking them.
The fervour of the Lensois fans during the match against Marseille, on May 6, 2023 at the Bollaert © stadium Denis Charlet / AFP
Marseille, now third two lengths behind its winner, no longer has the hand for direct qualification in the Champions League. But he is guaranteed to play Europe, at worst in the Europa League Conference.
"We can't say at all that it's over," warns Matteo Guendouzi, "you saw the scenario of last season, it was played at the last second. There is still a qualification for the Champions League to go for."
Thanks to the defeats of Rennes in Nice (2-1), Racing was assured even before kick-off to return to Europe, after 16 years of absence. The Bretons (6th) are 13 points behind and can no longer return to Lens.
The Blood and Gold left the continental scene with a defeat at FC Copenhagen on 4 October 2007 (2-1 a.p.) in the UEFA Cup.
Their victory, combined with the defeat of Lille (5th) in Reims (1-0) ensures them to play the Europa League.
"It doesn't matter what the cup is, as long as you're drunk," read a banner at the beginning of the match. The Blood and Gold can consider the Champions League, and can even dream of being at the top of the seed if they overtake PSG...
© 2023 AFP