O. Marsille and FCG Bordeaux played an entertaining nightcap to the first day of the EA League 1 Games at Audi Field.
The preseason tournament featured a high scoring with St Ethienne coming out on top in the first game and game two had all the marbles of a close and entertaining game that saw Dmitri Payet score twice to complete the Marsille comeback with a 2-1 final.
In a physical first half, there was some chipiness from both teams with a combined 10 fouls, five from each. Bordeaux had a chance to get on the board in the 35th minute with a clean loook header from Nicolas de Preville but the attempt went off the right goal post.
Five minutes, Bordeaux redeemed themselves. Midfielder Yassine Benrahou took a corner kick. As the kick was placed, Pablo came charging towards the net and the ball perfectly fell right on his foot to bury it in the net. It was a vital goal to give Bordeaux the 1-0 lead heading into halftime.
Each team had a shot on goal in the first half and two total. Bordeaux led in corners 3-2 and had the edge in ball possession 53%-47%.
Like the previous game of the evening, the second half was a different story for the club that was trailing. Two unanswered goals from Dmitri Payet was the difference. His first came in the 52nd minute off a great diagonal pass from Kevin Strootman. His second came five minutes later off a feed from Bouna Sarr.
The win pits Marsille against St Ethiene on Sunday night at 9 p.m. for the championship. Prior to that match will be the third place game between Montpellier and Bordeaux. That game will start at 6.
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In the 51st minute,
