Senegalese winger Issa Soumaré backed by Didier Digard after penalty miss for Le Havre

Le Havre missed a valuable chance to secure victory against Paris FC after Issa Soumaré sent a late penalty wide in a goalless draw that left the Norman side frustrated.

Soumaré stepped up in the 79th minute with a clear opportunity to seal all three points.

He fixed Kevin Trapp before striking the ball, but his attempt flew off target, denying Le Havre a decisive breakthrough and deepening the tension felt around the Stade Océane.

The Senegalese winger looked visibly disappointed as the chance slipped away.

Despite the frustration surrounding the moment, head coach Didier Digard offered immediate support for his young forward.

He defended Soumaré’s approach and insisted the missed effort stemmed from a small technical detail rather than poor judgement.

“This is not arrogance; it’s simply his usual way of taking penalties,” Digard said. “He opened his foot too much, and that tiny detail changed everything.”

The coach acknowledged that the opportunity arrived late in the match and could have transformed Le Havre’s standing, but he preferred to highlight the positives while urging his squad to maintain focus.

Digard’s reaction avoided any suggestion of blame, instead reinforcing confidence in a player who has become an important part of Le Havre’s attacking structure.

He emphasised the need for composure as the team continues its campaign, noting that such moments can happen to any forward, regardless of experience.

Le Havre leave the match with the sense of two points dropped, yet the manager’s measured response aims to ensure Soumaré moves past the incident quickly.

The team now looks to regroup, sharpen its efficiency in front of goal, and avoid letting similar missed chances define their upcoming fixtures.