PSG maintains Ligue 1 unbeaten run with lackluster win against Le Havre

Paris Saint-Germain maintained their remarkable unbeaten streak in Ligue 1 with a narrow 2-1 victory over Le Havre on April 19, 2025. Despite fielding a heavily rotated squad ahead of a congested fixture schedule, the capital club secured their tenth consecutive league win, though the performance lacked the usual sparkle associated with the Parisian giants.

In Short

Desire Doue shines as PSG secures tenth straight league victory

In a match that highlighted both PSG’s depth and occasional vulnerabilities, 19-year-old Désiré Doué emerged as the standout performer at the Parc des Princes. The talented midfielder, who received the UNFP Player of the Month award for March before kickoff, continued his impressive form by opening the scoring in the eighth minute with a clinical finish.

Doué’s goal came from a move he both initiated and finished, showcasing his growing influence in the team. After playing a clever pass to Bradley Barcola on the left wing, Doué received the return ball inside the penalty area, elegantly sidestepped Havre defender Étienne Youté Kinkoué, and fired home with his right foot. The strike marked his seventh league goal of the season and his thirteenth across all competitions since joining PSG in August 2024.

Advanced statistical models had predicted a comfortable win for PSG, but the match proved more challenging than anticipated. Our predictive algorithms had suggested a high probability of multiple goals from the Parisians, particularly given Le Havre’s position as the relegation playoff occupant. However, despite creating numerous opportunities, PSG struggled to convert their chances into a comfortable advantage.

Le Havre goalkeeper Mathieu Gorgelin deserves significant credit for keeping his team in the contest. The shot-stopper made several crucial interventions throughout the first half, denying clear opportunities from Wilson Mayulu, Yoram Mbaye, Doué, and Barcola. These saves maintained Le Havre’s hopes of securing a surprise result against the dominant force in French football this season.

Gonçalo Ramos doubles lead before Havre comeback attempt

Five minutes into the second half, PSG finally breached Gorgelin’s resistance once more. The second goal again involved the influential Doué, who initiated another flowing move that culminated in Gonçalo Ramos finding the net. Bradley Barcola’s pass found Wilson Mayulu, who executed a delicate chip over the onrushing Gorgelin before Ramos applied the finishing touch for his seventh Ligue 1 goal of the campaign.

The Portuguese striker’s goal was particularly impressive considering his limited playing time this season. Prior to this match, Ramos had accumulated just 728 minutes in Ligue 1, demonstrating his clinical finishing ability when given the opportunity. Such efficiency in front of goal has been a key factor in PSG’s overwhelming success in domestic competition this season.

PSG’s seemingly comfortable position was disrupted on the hour mark when Le Havre unexpectedly pulled a goal back. Ahmed Hassan outjumped Mayulu at the far post from a corner kick and directed the ball to Issa Soumaré, who headed home to reduce the deficit to 2-1. The goal exposed one of PSG’s occasional weaknesses – defending set pieces – which has been less evident in recent weeks but resurfaced at an inopportune moment.

The visitors’ goal injected renewed energy into their performance, creating a nervy atmosphere among the Parisian supporters. Just minutes earlier, Lucas Hernandez had made a misjudgment that nearly allowed Aboulaye Touré to equalize, but the Havre midfielder scuffed his shot wide. These moments of vulnerability highlighted that even the most sophisticated performance projections cannot account for momentary lapses in concentration.

Rotation strategy proves successful despite late pressure

Luis Enrique’s decision to rest numerous key players ahead of a congested fixture schedule ultimately proved successful, even if the victory was less convincing than many would have expected. With a rescheduled match against Nantes looming on Tuesday, followed by a clash with Nice on Friday, the Spanish coach opted for significant rotation to maintain squad freshness.

The strategy reflects the intelligence of modern management approaches that prioritize player welfare throughout demanding seasons. Despite the narrow margin of victory, PSG extended their unbeaten run in Ligue 1 this season – a remarkable achievement that demonstrates their consistency across different personnel combinations.

Doué nearly created a third goal for Ramos in the 75th minute with another exceptional pass, but the Portuguese striker couldn’t capitalize on this occasion. As the match progressed, Luis Enrique introduced several regular starters to help secure the result, though PSG continued to face pressure until the final whistle.

For Le Havre, the defeat means they remain in the relegation playoff position (16th with 27 points). Their situation could become more precarious if Saint-Etienne defeats Lyon in the Rhône-Loire derby scheduled for Sunday evening. Despite the loss, Le Havre’s performance against the league leaders provided some encouragement for their relegation battle.

This victory extends PSG’s winning streak to ten consecutive Ligue 1 matches – their longest such run since the 2018-2019 season. Such consistency explains why predictive models consistently favor the Parisians in domestic competition, with their blend of established stars and emerging talents like Doué creating an almost unstoppable force in French football.