French champions Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) began their Ligue 1 title defense with a convincing 4-1 victory over Le Havre on Friday. The match showcased a dramatic turn of events as PSG weathered an early scare and ultimately dominated the second half.
PSG’s opening goal arrived within the first three minutes when Goncalo Ramos, a recent signing from Benfica, played a precise pass to Lee Kang-in who expertly slotted the ball into the net. The joy was short-lived, however, as Ramos suffered an injury during a tackle, necessitating his substitution with Randal Kolo Muani.
The first half concluded with a 1-0 advantage for PSG, but the second half brought a twist. Le Havre leveled the score just three minutes after the restart thanks to a goal from Gautier Lloris. Shortly after, Le Havre looked to have taken the lead, but VAR intervened, ruling out a goal from Josue Casimir due to a handball in the build-up.
Despite facing a tense period, PSG regained control in the final stages of the match. Ousmane Dembele put PSG back in front with a header five minutes from time, before Bradley Barcola added a third goal moments later. Kolo Muani then capped off the victory with a penalty goal in the final minutes, sealing a dominant 4-1 win for PSG.
Following the match, PSG manager Luis Enrique expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance. He acknowledged the challenges they faced, particularly the early injury to Ramos, but highlighted the resilience and determination shown by his players. He also expressed concern over the severity of Ramos’ injury, stating that it appeared to be serious.
PSG’s opening day win sends a clear statement of intent in their quest for another Ligue 1 title. While the injury to Ramos is a significant setback, PSG’s depth and quality will be crucial as they navigate the demanding season ahead. The match also showcased the exciting potential of the new signings, with both Lee Kang-in and Randal Kolo Muani contributing to the victory. PSG fans will now look ahead to their next fixture with optimism and confidence in their team’s ability to compete for silverware on multiple fronts.
