As 2025 draws to a close, the Arkema Première Ligue once again finds itself shaped by the Lyon PSG rivalry, a contest that has come to define women’s football in France. OL Lyon and Paris Saint-Germain are separated not just by points, but by history, standards, and expectations. Every season promises a title race; almost every season ends with Lyon setting the benchmark and PSG trying to keep pace.
December’s fixtures offered a clear snapshot of where the league stands heading into the new year. Lyon were relentless, efficient, and in total control. PSG, meanwhile, showed flashes of quality but also moments of vulnerability that continue to haunt them in this long-running duel. With Lyon perfect after 11 matches and PSG already dropping points, the familiar narrative is taking shape once more.
This update breaks down the current standings, key performances from the festive period, and the deeper historical context that ensures every Lyon-PSG meeting carries weight far beyond three points.
Current Arkema Première Ligue Standings
Lyon sits comfortably at the top of the Arkema Première Ligue after 11 matches, maintaining a flawless record: 11 wins, no draws, no defeats. They have scored 49 goals and conceded just five, giving them a staggering +44 goal difference and a maximum 33 points. The underlying numbers reinforce that dominance. Lyon’s expected goals (xG) stand at 26.6, while their expected goals against (xGA) is just 5.1, underlining control at both ends of the pitch.
PSG remain second, but already have ground to make up. They have recorded eight wins, two draws, and one defeat, scoring 28 goals and conceding 12 for a +16 goal difference and 26 points. Their xG of 20.5 and xGA of 7.8 suggest a team creating chances, but not converting them with the same ruthless efficiency as Lyon.
Paris FC sit third on 23 points, with Nantes close behind on 21. From there, the table drops away sharply. Once again, the title race appears to be a two-team affair, with Lyon operating at a near-perfect points-per-match rate of 3.00, while PSG’s 2.36 reflects a side that is strong, but not untouchable.
December Matches: Lyon’s Unrelenting Control
Lyon’s December run was a masterclass in authority and consistency. On December 6, they travelled to Dijon and came away with a comfortable 3–0 win. They held 74% possession, posted an xG of 1.6, and allowed Dijon no shots of note, finishing with an xGA of 0.0. Jonathan Giraldezthe back line in a compact 4-4-2, ensuring there were no late surprises.
A week later, Lyon raised the bar even higher. On December 13, they dismantled Le Havre 7–0 away from home. Despite “only” generating 2.6 xG, their finishing was clinical, and they dominated the ball with 63% possession in a 4-2-3-1 under the captaincy of Wendie Renard. Le Havre were restricted to an xG of just 0.1.
Lyon closed out the month on December 20 with another commanding 3–0 victory, this time at home to Fleury. Operating in a 4-3-3, they controlled 71% of possession and posted a 2.2 xG to Fleury’s 0.5. The pattern was unmistakable: control the game, create high-quality chances, concede very little.
Melchie Dumornay continued to shine throughout the period, averaging 7.45 shot-creating actions per 90 minutes across the season and contributing 11 goal-creating actions. Lyon is not just winning; they are dictating games on their own terms.
December Matches: PSG’s Mixed Signals
PSG’s December told a more complicated story. They emphatically opened the monthon December 5, sweeping aside Olympique Marseille 5–1 away from home. Interestingly, they recorded just seven tackles in the match, winning six of them, mostly in defensive and midfield areas. It was a performance built on sharp transitions and clinical finishing rather than sustained pressure.
The cracks appeared a week later. On December 12, PSG were held to a 2–2 draw at home by Montpellier. Despite registering 10 tackles, only five were won, and defensive lapses proved costly. The match highlighted an issue that has cropped up repeatedly this season: PSG can dominate spells but struggle to control games from start to finish.
That theme continued on December 20 in a goalless draw against Paris FC. PSG showed grit, recording 14 tackles (eight won), along with 11 blocks and 25 interceptions. Defensively, it was solid. Offensively, it was blunt. Chances were limited, and the final pass was often missing.
Across the season, PSG’s defenders have been heavily involved, totalling 137 tackles, with 101 won. Élisa De Almeida has been particularly influential, contributing three goal-creating actions at a rate of 0.37 per 90 minutes. Up front, Romée Leuchter leads the scoring charts with nine goals, her 4.46 SCA per 90 underlining her importance to PSG’s attacking output.
Lyon PSG Rivalry Defined by History
The Lyon-PSG rivalry is marked by an imbalance. Historically, Lyon has dominated the head-to-head, recording 20 wins, six draws, and just four defeats, scoring 54 goals to PSG’s 17. Recent meetings have done little to shift that narrative.
In their most recent clash on September 27, 2025, Lyon swept PSG aside 6–1, generating an xG of 2.4 compared to PSG’s 1.1. Earlier in the year, Lyon claimed a 3–0 victory in the 2025 final, and in January 2025, they won 2–0 away in Paris.
That dominance extends to league titles. Lyon have repeatedly set the standard, lifting the trophy in 2024–25 with 62 points, in 2022–23 with 61, and across earlier campaigns such as 2019–20, when they collected 44 points from just 16 matches. PSG’s solitary recent title came in 2020–21 with 62 points. More often, they have finished runners-up, including in 2024–25 (52 points) and 2022–23 (55 points).
Player Spotlight: Ada Hegerberg’s Continuing Influence
Ada Hegerberg remains a central figure in this rivalry, even as her role has evolved. During the 2025/26 season, she has featured in 10 matches, starting five, and accumulating 522 minutes. In that time, she has scored three goals and provided two assists.
Her underlying numbers remain strong. Hegerberg’s xG stands at 3.5 (3.4 non-penalty), with an expected assists figure of 1.2. She has recorded 21 shot-creating actions and five goal-creating actions, highlighting her contribution beyond pure finishing.
In December, she started against Dijon, playing the full 90 minutes, and came off the bench against Fleury for a 26-minute cameo. Even when not at her most prolific, her movement, experience, and decision-making continue to elevate Lyon’s attack.
A former Ballon d’Or winner and multiple-time league top scorer,r including 12 goals in the 2023–24 season, on Hegerberg’s presence adds authority to a squad already overflowing with quality.
Advanced Metrics – Lyon PSG rivalry: Creation, Efficiency, and the Numbers Behind the Gap
The advanced data paints a clear picture of why Lyon continues to pull away. As a team, they average 32.55 shot-creating actions per 90 minutes and 7.45 goal-creating actions, numbers that comfortably outstrip the rest of the league.
PSG are not far behind in creativity, registering 29.70 SCA per 90, but their 4.50 GCA highlights a drop-off when it comes to turning chances into goals. The difference is not volume, but efficiency.
Hegerberg’s xA of 1.2 reflects her growing role as a facilitator, while PSG’s Sakina Karchaoui leads her side with 4.05 SCA per 90 and six goal-creating actions. For Lyon, Selma Bacha stands out, averaging 7.10 SCA per 90 and consistently driving chance creation from wide areas.
In short, Lyon creates better chances, more often, and finishes them with greater consistency.
Broader Implications for the League
This Lyon PSG rivalry extends beyond the title race. Lyon’s sustained excellence continues to raise the bar for the entire Arkema Première Ligue, forcing rivals to invest, adapt, and innovate. PSG’s pursuit has already helped attract global talent and attention, exemplified by high-profile signings such as Mary Earps.
A more competitive PSG would not only benefit the title race; it would also elevate the league as a whole, increasing viewership, commercial interest, and opportunities for young players. For now, however, Lyon remain the standard-bearers, and the rest are still chasing.
As 2025 comes to an end, the Arkema Première Ligue looks familiar at the top. Lyon is flawless, dominant, and setting a pace that few can live with. PSG remain the closest challengers, but December exposed the fine margins that continue to separate the two.
With another meeting scheduled for January 31, 2026, the rivalry will once again take centre stage. Whether PSG can finally disrupt the pattern remains to be seen. For now, Lyon remains firmly in control.
