Despite the eventual scoreline, the match began with a surprise as the league's bottom-placed side took the initiative. Le Havre striker Josh Maja stunned the visitors in the 18th minute, hammering home an opener against the run of play. However, the lead was short-lived as PSG responded with a swift counter-attack in the 26th minute, with Mika Godts converting a precise through-ball from Hakimi to restore parity.
Hakimi Takes Control as PSG Pull Away
Once the equalizer was secured, Hakimi took center stage to dismantle the Le Havre defense. Just two minutes after the opening goal, the Moroccan international surged past his markers and unleashed a blistering low drive inside the near post to put the visitors ahead. Before the interval, he extended the lead to 3-1 with a curling free-kick that beat goalkeeper Arnaud Bodard.
The second half saw PSG maintain their intensity despite a heavily rotated squad. Following a failed offensive surge from the hosts, Senny Mayulu capitalized on a breakaway, rounding the goalkeeper to slot home into an empty net just after the hour mark. Hakimi then completed his historic hat-trick in the 69th minute, threading a shot through a crowded penalty area before being substituted by head coach Luis Enrique.
Reflecting on the tactical freedom afforded to his defender, Luis Enrique noted that Hakimi is encouraged to operate as a striker while the team is in possession, provided he fulfills his defensive duties when out of the ball. The victory was achieved without the services of injured duo Ousmane Dembele and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, while key players such as Desire Doue, Vitinha, and Joao Neves were rested on the bench.
Elsewhere in the league, the title race saw significant movement as Rennes suffered a 5-2 defeat at Nice, leaving them four points behind the leaders. Meanwhile, 40-year-old Olivier Giroud secured a vital 1-0 win for Lille against Lens with an 86th-minute strike, moving his side into second place with 18 points.
