PSG edge past Le Havre to extend lead at the top

Paris Saint-Germain secured a narrow but valuable victory away to Le Havre in Matchday 24 of Ligue 1, with Bradley Barcola’s 37th-minute goal enough to separate the sides in Normandy.

Luis Enrique’s team controlled large spells of the encounter but were forced to work until the final seconds against a determined Le Havre side, who remained dangerous on the counter throughout.

Barcola makes the difference

After a relatively even opening half hour, the breakthrough came just before the interval. Kang-in Lee drifted inside from the right and curled a cross towards the back post, where Barcola rose to guide a looping header beyond Mory Diaw and into the net.

The goal rewarded PSG’s territorial dominance, although Le Havre had shown encouraging attacking intent. Matvei Safonov had already been called into action earlier in the half, producing a sharp close-range stop to deny the hosts.

Paris almost doubled their advantage moments later. Kang-in Lee was sent through on the break by Barcola but dragged his left-footed effort wide with the goal at his mercy, while Dro Fernandez later saw a finish ruled out for offside.

Diaw keeps Le Havre alive

Le Havre remained competitive after the break and goalkeeper Mory Diaw produced a string of impressive saves to keep the scoreline tight.

The Senegalese international denied Nuno Mendes at point-blank range before producing the biggest moment of the second half in the 79th minute. After Ibrahim Mbaye was brought down inside the penalty area, Désiré Doué stepped up from the spot, but Diaw guessed correctly and pushed the effort away to keep his side in contention.

Diaw later revealed an amusing detail about the save, explaining he had studied Doué’s previous penalty against Liverpool and chose the same side. The hosts pushed forward in the closing stages and forced PSG into a tense finale. Safonov was required to intervene several times, including a brave clearance outside his area that led to a heavy collision with Yassine Kechta. Le Havre continued to win set pieces deep into stoppage time, but Paris held firm to secure a valuable away victory.

Bradley Barcola makes the difference for PSG on the road 🔴🔵✅ pic.twitter.com/2Gstrirb0U
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) February 28, 2026

Paris strengthen title position

The win ensures PSG remain top of Ligue 1 and extend their lead over RC Lens to four points after 24 matches.

Despite the narrow scoreline, the result maintains Paris’ strong momentum in the title race, while Le Havre can take encouragement from a competitive display against the league leaders.

THE STAT: PSG in prime position

PSG (57 points) now lead Lens (53) by four points after 24 matchdays of the Ligue 1 season. The last club to fail to win the title after holding at least such a lead with 10 matchdays remaining was RC Lens in 2001/02, when they held a six-point advantage over Lyon but ultimately finished second.