Issa Soumaré delivered a moment of brilliance for Le Havre despite their 2–1 loss to Paris Saint-Germain in Ligue 1 on Saturday, scoring a fine goal that offered a brief glimmer of hope in an otherwise tough outing against the reigning French champions.
The Senegalese forward, who has steadily become a key figure for Le Havre this season, struck in the 60th minute to reduce the deficit after his side had fallen two goals behind.
His finish, calmly taken and composed, marked his fourth goal of the Ligue 1 campaign and underlined his growing influence at the top level.
The visitors’ afternoon got off to the worst possible start. Within eight minutes of kick-off, PSG opened the scoring through Désiré Doué.
The early goal unsettled Le Havre, who struggled to find their rhythm as the Parisian side applied consistent pressure.
Gonçalo Ramos then doubled the hosts’ advantage five minutes into the second half, capitalising on a defensive lapse to make it 2–0.
The Portuguese striker’s sharp finish appeared to put the game beyond Le Havre’s reach, as PSG tightened their grip on proceedings.
Yet just ten minutes later, Issa Soumaré reignited the contest. Latching onto a loose ball inside the penalty area, the 24-year-old winger showed quick feet to evade a defender before guiding a precise shot past the goalkeeper.
Though the goal breathed new life into Le Havre’s play and lifted the travelling support, it ultimately proved a mere consolation.
Paris Saint-Germain, seasoned in managing narrow leads, maintained control through the final stretch of the match and closed out the victory with minimal fuss.
The result reinforced their dominance in Ligue 1 while once again exposing the fine margins smaller clubs like Le Havre must navigate in the top flight.
For Soumaré, however, the goal added to an already impressive individual season. In 25 league appearances, the Senegalese youth international now has four goals and three assists, showcasing both his versatility on the wing and his value in key moments.
Despite the defeat, his performance stood out as a bright spot in a challenging fixture.
Le Havre remain in a battle to maintain their Ligue 1 status, and while the loss to PSG adds pressure, the quality shown by players like Soumaré offers hope for the final stretch of the season.
His ability to rise to the occasion against high-calibre opposition reflects both confidence and development, and he will be expected to play a crucial role in the matches ahead.
As for PSG, the win keeps them firmly on track at the top of the table, with goals from Doué and Ramos enough to secure the points.
For Le Havre, the focus now shifts to the next opportunity, where resilience and moments of individual brilliance—like those provided by Soumaré—may be the difference between survival and relegation.
#Ligue1 🇫🇷 : La superbe tête d’Issa Soumaré qui a réduit la marque face au PSG 🎯 pic.twitter.com/jRFG1zoFhG
— CANAL+ SPORT Afrique (@cplussportafr) April 19, 2025
