PSG DEFEATS LE HAVRE TO REASSERT DOMINANCE OVER THE TABLE
PSG reclaims the Ligue 1 summit with a 3-0 win over Le Havre, extending their unbeaten run to eight games. Goals from Lee Kang-In, Joao Neves, and Bradley Barcola sealed the victory at the Parc des Princes.
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Paris Saint-Germain has maintained its unbeaten streak in Ligue 1, now at eight matches (five victories and three draws), and has reclaimed the lead in the standings following a decisive 3-0 victory against a determined Le Havre AC at the Parc des Princes.
Before the international break, Luis Enrique's team faced mounting criticism due to a stretch of lacklustre performances that cast doubt on their status as the clear favourites for the championship.
Initially, PSG struggled to establish dominance, requiring Lucas Chevalier to execute a remarkable save to deny Simon Ebonog from converting Issa Soumare’s cross.
However, with just a minute left before the half-hour mark, the home side took the lead when Nuno Mendes delivered a cross from the left that found Lee Kang-In, who managed to score with a left-footed shot that slipped past a scrambling Mory Diaw at the near post.
Ibrahim Mbaye likely felt frustrated after missing a chance to increase their lead, firing over the bar from a cut-back by Mendes, but Le Havre headed into halftime with a sense of optimism.
Le Club Doyen nearly equalised when Ayumu Seko’s ambitious attempt just missed the crossbar, coming right after Chevalier had denied Yassine Kechta at his near post.
PSG had a chance to extend their lead soon after the second half began as Senny Mayulu surged toward the goal, yet he sent his left-footed shot wide.
Fans anticipating a barrage of goal-scoring chances for Enrique’s team were left wanting, as Didier Digard's squad nearly executed a counterattack. Chevalier had to once again leap into action, deflecting a free kick from Yanis Zouaoui, a reminder that the match remained finely balanced.
Looking to create some separation, the reigning champions succeeded in the 65th minute thanks to Joao Neves. The Portuguese midfielder scored by slotting a loose ball in off the post after Bradley Barcola was thwarted twice in quick succession by Diaw and the Le Havre defence. Warren Zaire-Emery's precise through ball set up this goal, seemingly sealing the win.
Refusing to give up, the visitors pushed forward and came close to reducing the deficit when Soumare’s powerful shot struck the post. This seemed to awaken PSG, who then sought to capitalise on their advantage, but Mendes failed to finish off a cross from Zaire-Emery, shooting over.
There was still time for Enrique’s men to add a third goal, as Barcola skillfully timed his run to receive a pass from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia before coolly slotting it past Diaw.
This result reinstates PSG's two-point lead at the top of the league table, while Le Havre ends the weekend in 12th position, witnessing the end of their four-match unbeaten streak in the league.
PSG CRISIS: LUIS ENRIQUE RESPONDS TO HAKIMI’S LEGAL BATTLE BEFORE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE CLASH
High stakes: Discover why Achraf Hakimi faces 15 years in prison and his defiant response to the ordered rape trial in Nanterre.
If found guilty, Hakimi faces up to 15 years in prison, the maximum sentence for the crime he’s accused of.
Hakimi Facing Possible 15-Year Prison Sentence
French outlet Le Parisien, quoted by The Sun, reports that the incident dates back to February 2023. A 24-year-old woman told police she met the Moroccan international on Instagram in January.
She says that when she arrived, Hakimi kissed her on the mouth and breasts over her clothes without her consent and then assaulted her. According to her, she managed to push him away with her foot and left, texting a friend to come pick her up.
Later that day, she went to the police and gave what was called a "statement of rape", but at first she didn’t file a formal complaint.
In the weeks after, she sent investigators messages that reportedly showed how distressed she was after the incident.
On March 3, 2023, an investigating judge charged Achraf Hakimi with rape. Police took him into custody briefly, then released him under judicial supervision. Hakimi has denied the accusations from the start.
Now, in 2026, the Daily Mail reports that Hakimi’s lawyer, Fanny Colin, confirmed a trial has been ordered. The prosecutor in Nanterre also confirmed it. In their words:
“A trial has been ordered based solely on the word of a woman who blocked all investigations, refused all medical exams and DNA tests, wouldn’t let her phone be examined, and wouldn’t name a key witness.”
Meanwhile, Gianni Infantino is accused of breaking strict FIFA rules during Donald Trump’s Board of Peace meeting.
After the latest news, Hakimi said:
“Today, a rape accusation is enough to justify a trial, even though I deny it and everything proves it’s false. This is just as unfair to the innocent as it is to real victims. I calmly wait for this trial, which will let the truth come out.”
PSG manager Luis Enrique was asked before the Champions League play-off second leg against Monaco if Hakimi’s case changes anything for the team or his role as vice captain. He replied, “This is in the hands of the justice system.”
Hakimi also spoke about the accusations in a January interview, saying there was a plot against him. “The truth is, when you’re successful and things are going well, you become an easy target for some people, and that taught me you can’t trust many people around you.
“They tried to blackmail me, and that’s why we filed a complaint. It’s going fine. The justice system handled things pretty well.”
A representative for the alleged victim responded, "My client feels huge relief at this news. Nothing in this case points to any blackmail attempt. We won’t let anyone smear her or destabilise her, which, sadly, still happens far too often to women who dare to report rape.”
Hakimi’s lawyer, Colin, criticised the prosecution’s move, saying, "These requests make no sense given the evidence. The case proves the plaintiff lied, especially through psychological assessments. Achraf Hakimi and I are as calm as we were at the start. If these requests are approved, we’ll appeal every step of the way.”
As of now, Hakimi is still free on bail.
HAKIMI TO STAND TRIAL: PSG STAR CONFIRMS RAPE TRIAL WHILE STRONGLY DENYING ALL CHARGE
Legal showdown: Discover why Achraf Hakimi is heading to trial and his defiant response to the sexual assault allegations.
Achraf Hakimi, the Paris Saint-Germain and Morocco defender, says he’ll stand rape trial, a charge he strongly denies. He confirmed the news himself on social media Tuesday, writing, “Today, a rape accusation is enough to justify a trial, even though I deny it and everything proves it’s false. This is as unjust to the innocent as it is to the genuine victims. I calmly await this trial, which will allow the truth to come out publicly.”
The case started back in 2023, when the Nanterre prosecutor’s office opened an investigation after a woman accused the 27-year-old of rape. On Tuesday, prosecutors confirmed the case is heading to court.
According to the plaintiff, she met Hakimi on Instagram in January 2023. She says he ordered her a taxi to his home, then kissed her and touched her without consent before raping her. She says she managed to push him away and texted a friend, who came to pick her up.
Her lawyer, Rachel-Flore Pardo, said her client felt relieved the case would get a full hearing. She praised the judiciary’s handling but pointed out that men’s football still has a long way to go when it comes to the #MeToo movement.
On the other side, Hakimi’s lawyer, Fanny Colin, argued that the trial is moving forward based only on the woman’s word. She said the plaintiff blocked all investigations, refusing medical exams, DNA tests, access to her phone, and the name of a key witness.
Meanwhile, PSG are set to face Monaco on Wednesday in the return leg of their Champions League playoff. PSG won last week’s first leg 3-2 at Stade Louis II, and Hakimi was listed in the squad. Asked about his defender, PSG head coach Luis Enrique kept it simple: “This matter is in the hands of the authorities.”
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