**Ligue 1 Round 19 Recap: Marseille Wins 2-1 Over Reims with Payet's Late Goal**

In a pulsating encounter that saw both teams fighting tooth and nail to secure a point, Marseille secured their first win of the season against Reims in Ligue 1 Round 19. The match was played on Saturday at the Stade Velodrome in Marseille, where the home side took advantage of a crucial late goal from substitute Yannick Payet to clinch victory.

The opening period was dominated by both sides as they struggled to break down each other's defenses. Marseille had several chances early on, but their attempts were thwarted by Reims' solid defense. On the hour mark, Marseille's goalkeeper Pierre-Yves Bousquet saved a close-range shot from Reims' defender Vincent Chambon, keeping his team's lead intact.

Reims continued to press for an equalizer in the second half, with striker Kevin Siboura having two shots on target before halftime. However, Marseille's defensive solidity held firm, and the visitors were unable to find the back of the net.

In the final minutes of the game, Marseille began to apply more pressure. With just over 50 seconds left, Marseille's midfielder Adrien Rabiot found himself one-on-one with Reims' keeper Nicolas Lenglet. After a tense exchange, Rabiot managed to dribble past the keeper and score the equalizer, putting Marseille level at 1-1.

The decisive moment came in the 94th minute when Marseille's substitute Yannick Payet stepped up to take a free-kick. Despite facing some heavy resistance, Payet calmly placed the ball into the bottom right corner of the net, securing Marseille's third and fifth consecutive league wins this season.

This victory is particularly significant for Marseille, who have been struggling to find form throughout the season. Their ability to bounce back from a loss to Lyon earlier in the week has now seen them reclaim some momentum. Payet's late strike was a testament to his importance to the Marseille squad, as he often provides key moments of brilliance in critical situations.

With this win, Marseille move up to 10th place in the table, only three points behind leaders PSG. The next challenge for Marseille will be to continue their strong run and maintain their momentum in the remaining matches of the season.