Paris Saint-Germain returned to the top of Ligue 1 after securing a composed 3-0 win over a spirited Le Havre side at the Parc des Princes. The victory also extended their unbeaten streak to eight matches, helping ease the scrutiny that had built around Luis Enrique’s squad before the international break. A series of unsteady performances had raised doubts about their dominance, but this result offered a reassuring response.
The match began cautiously for PSG, who struggled to establish control immediately. Le Havre showed confidence early on, threatening through Simon Ebonog, whose close-range effort forced Lucas Chevalier into an outstanding save. It was a reminder that PSG couldn’t afford to switch off, especially against a well-organized opponent.
PSG eventually broke the deadlock near the 30-minute mark when Nuno Mendes delivered a cross that found Lee Kang-In. The midfielder’s left-footed strike slipped beneath goalkeeper Mory Diaw, giving the hosts a narrow but deserved lead. Despite several chances afterward, they entered halftime with only a one-goal cushion.
Le Havre Push Back, but PSG Hold Firm
Le Havre returned from the break with renewed determination, coming close through Ayumu Seko’s long-range attempt that skimmed over the crossbar. Moments earlier, Chevalier had already denied Yassine Kechta, keeping PSG’s lead intact. The visitors continued to push, sensing weakness in the champions’ back line.
PSG should have extended their advantage early in the second half when Senny Mayulu surged forward, only to send his shot wide. The missed opportunity added to the tension inside the stadium, as fans expected the home side to show greater ruthlessness. Meanwhile, Le Havre began exploiting gaps and came dangerously close to an equalizer.
Chevalier was again called into action when he parried Yanis Zouaoui’s powerful free kick, preventing what could have become a momentum-shifting moment. His reliability proved crucial as PSG looked momentarily vulnerable against Le Havre’s well-timed counterattacks.
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Neves Delivers Crucial Breathing Space
The breakthrough arrived in the 65th minute when Joao Neves capitalized on a loose ball inside the box, firing his shot off the post and into the net. The goal followed a chaotic sequence in which Bradley Barcola was twice denied by Diaw and the Le Havre defense. Zaire-Emery’s incisive pass earlier in the move highlighted PSG’s growing urgency.
Even after conceding the second goal, Le Havre refused to fade. Soumare nearly halved the deficit with a fierce strike that rattled the post, sending a brief wave of concern through the PSG supporters. It served as a reminder that the match was far from settled.
PSG responded by pushing harder for a decisive third goal. Mendes had a promising chance from a Zaire-Emery delivery, but he fired over the bar. Despite the miss, the momentum was now comfortably in PSG’s favor as the clock continued ticking.
Barcola Seals the Victory Late On
PSG’s persistence finally paid off in the closing stages when Bradley Barcola timed his run perfectly to meet Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s through ball. He guided a composed finish past Diaw, completing a well-executed move and sealing the result. The goal marked PSG’s growing control as the match wore on.
The third goal effectively extinguished any hopes Le Havre had of mounting a late comeback. Their earlier resilience had kept the game competitive, but PSG’s superior quality ultimately told in the final minutes. It was a fitting reward for their consistent pressure throughout the second half.
With the win, PSG restore their two-point advantage at the top of the table, reaffirming their position as the league’s frontrunners. Le Havre, meanwhile, drop to 12th after seeing their four-match unbeaten run come to an end, though their performance still earned respect. Stay tuned for the latest Ligue 1 news only at footballcoasters.co.uk.