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Moroccan footballer Achraf Hakimi has scored a hat-trick to inspire Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) to a 5-1 victory over Le Havre in Ligue 1 on Friday.
The Moroccan defender delivered a standout performance as the French champions extended their lead at the top of the table to four points. PSG now have 20 points from nine matches. Their closest rivals, Rennes, lost 5-2 to Nice on Friday, giving the champions an opportunity to strengthen their position.
Lille could move within two points of PSG if they beat Lens later on Friday. Monaco also have the chance to close the gap when they visit Paris FC on Sunday.
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Despite their bottom-of-the-table position, Le Havre started strongly and took the lead in the 18th minute. Josh Maja fired past the PSG defence to put the hosts ahead. However, PSG responded quickly. Belgian winger Mika Godts ran onto a through-ball from Hakimi and equalised in the 26th minute.
Hakimi then put PSG ahead just two minutes later. He raced past the Le Havre defence before firing a low shot inside the near post to make it 2-1. The visitors continued to dominate, and Hakimi added a second with a powerful free-kick. His effort curled past goalkeeper Arnaud Bodart to give PSG a 3-1 lead.
PSG extended their advantage shortly after the hour mark through Senny Mayulu. Le Havre pushed forward in search of another goal, but the move left their defence exposed. PSG launched a quick counter-attack and caught goalkeeper Bodart far from his goal. Mayulu went around the stranded goalkeeper before calmly finishing from distance into an empty net.
Hakimi completed his hat-trick in the 69th minute with a shot that travelled through a crowded penalty area. The defender was substituted shortly after celebrating his third goal. PSG manager Luis Enrique praised Hakimi’s attacking contribution but stressed that he also had defensive duties.
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“He’s a striker when we have the ball. He’s free to do that when we are in possession, but obliged to defend when we aren’t,” Enrique said.
The Spanish coach made several changes to his starting line-up, leaving Desire Doue, Vitinha and Joao Neves on the bench.
PSG were also without Ousmane Dembele and Georgian forward Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who missed the match through injury. The victory keeps PSG top of Ligue 1 as they continue their title defence.
