The Argentina international struck with a right-foot shot in the 69th minute of a match featuring few clear chances.

Zurich rarely threatened, and came closest when Johan Vonlanthen 47th-minute shot was tipped over by goalkeeper Steve Mandanda diving at full stretch.

Marseille needed the victory after losing its first two matches against Group C rivals Real Madrid and AC Milan.

The win also ended Marseille's run of six straight defeats away from home in the Champions League.

Milan's 3-2 victory in Madrid leaves the two storied former European champions topping the group with six points from three matches.

Marseille, the 1993 champion, and Zurich have three points.

The match had few of the thrills of Zurich's 5-2 loss to Madrid in its home opener, or the drama of its surprise 1-0 win in Milan three weeks ago.

Marseille was anxious to revive its hopes of progressing and had the ball in the net after two minutes. Benoit Cheyrou's 20-yard (meter) free kick was parried by Zurich goalkeeper Johnny Leoni but an offside flag was raised before Brandao headed over the line.

The match settled into a sterile pattern of tight passes in midfield as Zurich seemed reluctant to exploit wide open space on its right wing.

Zurich midfielder Milan Gajic fired a shot wide in the 21st minute, but Mandanda went untroubled in the first half.

The French side created a flurry of chances just before the break, after defender Hilton headed over from close range.

Marseille captain Mamadou Niang cut in from the right flank and teed up Brandao sliding in, but the Brazilian's shot was smartly held by Leoni.

Lucho Gonzalez twice threatened in stoppage time. The Argentine midfielder curled a right-foot shot just wide, then guided a looping header into Leoni's arms.

Zurich upped the tempo to begin the second half.

Switzerland international Vonlanthen forced a good save from Mandanda with a rising shot after making space on the edge of the penalty area.

But the home side could not sustain its momentum, and when Marseille broke forward Brandao's pass across goal just eluded Niang.

Marseille went ahead midway through the second half from an unlikely source.

Heinze has averaged about one goal per season in his career, but the former Real Madrid player was free at the far post to finish off a Gonzalez cross with a sweet strike.

Zurich countered with a series of set-piece deliveries that caused some panic in the French defense.

Mandanda looked ill at ease shoveling Gajic's free kick past his right post, and no Zurich attacker stepped up when the resulting corner flashed through the goalmouth.