Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) began their new era without Kylian Mbappé on a high note, securing a commanding 4-1 win against Le Havre in their Ligue 1 opener in Normandy. South Korean midfielder Lee Kang-in opened the scoring in the third minute, capitalizing on a pass from Gonçalo Ramos to send a deflected shot into the far corner.
Le Havre responded swiftly, with Gautier Lloris equalizing shortly after. The match remained tightly contested until PSG’s depth made the difference in the later stages. Substitutes Ousmane Dembélé and Bradley Barcola each netted goals in the 85th and 86th minutes, respectively, showcasing the team’s strong bench strength. Randal Kolo Muani sealed the victory with a late penalty, having earned the spot-kick himself.
“It is the first game back, and it’s a very good start,” remarked PSG’s head coach Luis Enrique. “We had highs and lows, but the substitutes did a lot of good for us. The final score disguises the fact that there are things to improve upon. We gave away lots of easy balls, and had we gone 2-1 down, that might have changed everything.”
The reigning French champions are adjusting to life without star forward Mbappé, who departed for Real Madrid in June after a prolific seven-year spell in Paris. Despite not making any marquee signings to replace him, PSG’s squad showcased their potential with promising performances from both seasoned players and rising talents.
There was a notable debut for 16-year-old Ibrahim Mbaye on the left wing, one of three teenagers in the starting lineup alongside Yoram Zague and Warren Zaïre-Emery, both 18. Portuguese midfielder João Neves also made his debut, coming on at halftime after his move from Benfica.
Le Havre, under new coach Didier Digard, put up a resilient fight. They thought they had taken the lead early in the second half when Josué Casimir found the net, but the goal was disallowed by VAR for a handball. Moments later, Lloris brought the hosts level, turning in a free-kick from Christopher Operi.
As the match progressed, PSG’s experience and depth proved decisive. The late flurry of goals ensured a comfortable victory, setting a positive tone for the season ahead.
Looking forward, PSG aim to build on this performance as they navigate the challenges of the new campaign. Their next fixture will test their consistency as they strive to maintain their dominance in French football without their former talisman.
Reference(s):
PSG begin post-Mbappe era with 4-1 win at Le Havre in Ligue 1 opener
cgtn.com
