Hakimi's 'hat-trick' secures PSG victory
Achraf Hakimi scores a hat-trick, leading Paris Saint-Germain to a 5-1 win over Le Havre in the French league.
Translated by Qiyas from النهار — Original source
Moroccan international Achraf Hakimi scored three goals and led defending champions and league leaders Paris Saint-Germain to a 5-1 victory over bottom-placed Le Havre in the ninth round of Ligue 1 on Tuesday. Hakimi shone in a lineup that saw several changes, netting his hat-trick in the 28th, 55th, and 69th minutes, after providing the assist for Belgian midfielder Mikaël Guéye’s equalizer in the 26th minute, responding to Nigerian striker Josh Maja’s 18th-minute opener for Le Havre. Senny Mayulu added the fourth goal in the 62nd minute.
Meanwhile, PSG’s closest rival, Rennes, suffered a heavy 5-2 defeat at home to Nice, handing the champions a chance to extend their lead at the top to four points after moving to 20 points at the summit. However, the gap narrowed back to two points following Lille’s 1-0 derby victory over Lens, with veteran substitute Olivier Giroud scoring the winner in stoppage time (86th minute). Giroud, a former World Cup and Champions League winner, turned 40 and erupted in celebration after his shot found the net, sealing a tense and closely contested match.
Monaco, currently fourth with 15 points, will also have a chance to close the gap to two points behind PSG if they can defeat host Paris FC today.
Le Havre started the match strongly and caught PSG’s defense off guard, with Maja scoring the opening goal just 18 minutes after the whistle. Le Havre paid the price for their attacking push in search of a second goal, as PSG launched a swift counterattack. The ball reached Belgian winger Guéye via a through pass from Hakimi, who equalized in the 26th minute. Just two minutes later, Hakimi burst past defenders and fired a low, powerful shot that nestled near the near post.
The European champions, winners in the past two seasons, continued their dominance over the Normandy side, with Hakimi adding his second personal goal from a direct free-kick. PSG exploited Le Havre’s forward momentum to regain control, launching a rapid counter that allowed Mayulu to round the advancing goalkeeper and calmly slot the ball into the empty net. Hakimi completed his hat-trick in the 69th minute with a shot from inside the penalty area that found the back of the net.
