The result, combined with a 5-2 defeat for Rennes against Nice, sees
A Clinical Turnaround and Hakimi's Brilliance
Le Havre initially stunned the visitors in the 18th minute when striker Josh Maja finished a sharp counterattack to put the home side ahead. However, the lead proved short-lived as PSG responded with intensity. In the 26th minute, Mika Godts leveled the score after latching onto a precise through ball from Hakimi, who was already beginning to dictate the tempo of the game.
Just two minutes later, Hakimi turned from provider to scorer, surging past the defensive line to drill a low strike inside the near post. The momentum remained firmly with the visitors as Hakimi added his second goal before the interval, curling a sophisticated free-kick past goalkeeper Arnaud Bodart to establish a 3-1 lead.
Following the break, Le Havre attempted to force their way back into the contest by committing more players forward. PSG, however, exploited the resulting gaps with ruthless efficiency. Shortly after the hour mark, Senny Mayulu extended the lead to 4-1 by rounding the goalkeeper and slotting the ball into an empty net. Hakimi then completed his hat-trick in the 69th minute, threading a shot through a congested penalty area to cap a dominant display before being substituted by coach Luis Enrique.
Tactical Flexibility and League Context
Reflecting on the performance, Luis Enrique highlighted the tactical freedom afforded to his star defender. The coach noted that Hakimi is encouraged to operate as a striker while the team is in possession, provided he maintains his defensive responsibilities when the ball is lost. This flexibility was key in a match where Enrique opted to rest several regulars, including Desire Doue, Vitinha, and Joao Neves, while managing the absences of Ousmane Dembele and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia due to injury.
The victory provides PSG with a two-point cushion over Lille, who climbed to second place following a narrow 1-0 win against Lens, secured by an 86th-minute goal from 40-year-old Olivier Giroud. With Rennes now sitting in fourth place on 16 points, the league table continues to take shape as Monaco prepares to face Paris FC on Sunday, with the opportunity to draw level with Lille.
