Le Havre AC secures second Ligue 1 victory with 3-1 win over Auxerre
Le Havre AC clinched their second Ligue 1 victory of the season on Sunday, defeating Auxerre 3-1, with Rassoul Ndiaye’s crucial goal playing a pivotal role in the win.
Following a successful 2-0 victory against Saint-Etienne last week, Didier Digard’s men were determined to maintain their momentum as they hosted Auxerre on September 1st for the third round of the French Ligue 1 Championship.
With the international break looming, Le Havre aimed to secure another victory, and they delivered with a solid performance that moved them up to 7th place in the league standings.
The match, held at Stade Océane, saw Le Havre start with three Senegalese players—Arouna Sangante, Rassoul Ndiaye, and Issa Soumaré—all in the starting lineup.
However, the home team was caught off guard early on when Gaëtan Perrin opened the scoring for Auxerre in the 17th minute, putting Le Havre behind 0-1.
Le Havre’s response was swift. Just six minutes later, they leveled the score when Elisha Owusu of Auxerre inadvertently turned the ball into his own net, making it 1-1.
The equalizer set the stage for an intense second half where Le Havre, boosted by a numerical advantage, took control of the match.
Rassoul Ndiaye, who had been a constant threat throughout the game, finally made his mark in the 52nd minute.
The 22-year-old midfielder scored his first Ligue 1 goal, giving Le Havre a 2-1 lead with a superb volley that left the Auxerre defense helpless.
Ndiaye came close to doubling his tally a few minutes later, but his effort was ruled out.
As Auxerre pressed forward in search of an equalizer, Le Havre remained resolute in defense and struck the decisive blow deep into stoppage time.
Guinean midfielder Abdoulaye Touré calmly converted a penalty in the 90th+8 minute, sealing a 3-1 victory for Le Havre.
With this win, Le Havre AC now sits comfortably in 7th place in Ligue 1, heading into the international break with renewed confidence.
The team’s back-to-back victories have not only boosted their standings but also highlighted their resilience and growing strength in the league.
Rassoul Ndiaye’s performance, in particular, has been a bright spot for Le Havre, as the young midfielder continues to establish himself as a key player in Didier Digard’s squad.
As the season progresses, Le Havre will be looking to build on this momentum and further solidify their position in Ligue 1.
𝗖’𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗶 !!!!! 🥳
Pour cette 3e journée de @Ligue1 le HAC décroche sa première victoire à domicile, face à @AJA ! 👊
Buts havrais par Owusu (csc, 23e), Ndiaye (52e), Touré (97e, sp), Perrin avait ouvert le score à la 17e.Voilà, 6 points avant la trêve, c’est fait !… pic.twitter.com/h3n2a3ps6h
— Havre Athletic Club ⚽️ (@HAC_Foot) September 1, 2024
