Le Havre pulled off a remarkable comeback on Saturday, securing a thrilling 4-3 victory over Lens in Ligue 1.
Senegalese forward Issa Soumaré played a key role, scoring and providing an assist in a crucial win for Didier Digard’s side in their battle for survival.
A match of twists and turns
The encounter at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis began disastrously for Le Havre, as Lens took a commanding 2-0 lead within the first 20 minutes.
The home side looked in complete control, but Le Havre responded with a spirited fightback, led by the partnership of Soumaré and Ghanaian veteran André Ayew.
In the 28th minute, Ayew set up Soumaré, who fired a clinical strike past the goalkeeper to reduce the deficit.
Just five minutes later, the roles were reversed—Soumaré provided a precise assist for Ayew, who calmly slotted home the equaliser to make it 2-2.
However, Lens regained the advantage shortly after halftime, with Florian Sotoca restoring their lead in the 48th minute.
Despite the setback, Le Havre refused to back down. Josué Casimir brought them level once again in the 62nd minute, setting the stage for a dramatic conclusion.
Last-minute heroics secure the win
As the match entered stoppage time, Le Havre was awarded a late penalty.
Defender Arouna Sangante stepped up but missed his attempt, only for the referee to order a retake.
This time, Moroccan midfielder Oussama Targhalline converted from the spot in the 91st minute, sealing an incredible 4-3 victory for the visitors.
Crucial points in the battle for survival
With this stunning win, Le Havre climbs to 16th place in the Ligue 1 table, boosting their hopes of avoiding relegation.
The victory not only secures vital points but also serves as a morale boost for Digard’s squad as they approach the final stretch of the season.
For Lens, the defeat is a significant blow to their European ambitions.
Despite their early dominance, they were unable to contain Le Havre’s relentless attacking play and will now have to regroup ahead of their next fixture.
Final score: Lens 3-4 Le Havre
This result will go down as one of the most dramatic matches of the season, with Le Havre showcasing resilience, determination, and the brilliance of Soumaré and Ayew to snatch a vital victory in remarkable fashion.
