Paris Saint-Germain relaxed towards the end of their visit to Le Havre when Ousmane Dembélé came on, made an impact, and scored a crucial goal five minutes before the end, restoring the lead for Luis Enrique’s team. PSG finished the match strongly, dominating against a weaker opponent.

But until the entry of former Barcelona player Dembélé alongside Bradley Barcola, the champion’s victory was uncertain. The favorable statistics also ended here. PSG extended their unbeaten away run to twenty-five matches. They secured their twentieth win at the Stade Océane, rounded off with goals from Barcola and Randal Kolo Muani from a penalty.

The inclusion of 16-year-old Ibrahim Mbaye in Luis Enrique’s first XI for the 2024-25 season was a fresh boost that quickly faded. A breath of fresh air to mitigate the impact of the absence of their star for the past seven years. Parisian Mbaye became, at 16 years, 6 months, and 23 days, the youngest player in the club’s history to start an official match.

His debut did not have the intended effect for the Spanish coach, who substituted him at halftime to bring on one of the season’s signings, Portuguese Joao Neves, who started on the bench. The only new signing who was in the starting lineup was Ecuadorian Willam Pacho.

Gonçalo Ramos lasted twenty minutes before leaving with an injury due to a tough tackle from Ettiene Youte. Randal Kolo Muani came on. By then, PSG had complete control of the match, with an early lead given by Kang In Lee after a pass from Ramos in a collective play that started from the back with a superb run by Marco Asensio.

Luis Enrique’s side was not in trouble, dominating possession and creating chances, such as Kolo Muani’s shot that hit the crossbar before the half-hour mark. However, that was as far as it went. Le Havre had the first opportunity with a goal ruled out for Abdoulaye Toure due to offside. Although it did not count, it caused PSG to start feeling nervous.

Nonetheless, a long-range shot from Asensio and another from Mbaye just before halftime, saved by goalkeeper Arthur Desmas, could have solidified Le Havre, who had barely survived relegation last season.

The home side grew in confidence once they equalized with a fortunate and somewhat fortuitous goal from a set piece. A ball into the area from Christopher Operi was volleyed by Gautier Lloris, brother of former French international Hugo, and despite lacking power and bouncing, it crept into the net, exposing Luis Enrique’s defense.

PSG had not conceded a goal in their opening match in the last nine seasons, and they could have faced a worse scenario. They breathed easier when VAR ruled out Josue Casimir’s goal for a previous handball, which would have put the hosts ahead.

After two chances to quash the local enthusiasm, with Kang-In Lee hitting the crossbar and a missed individual effort by Asensio, Luis Enrique turned to his bench. He brought on his full arsenal, and it paid off.

On came captain Marquinhos, and wingers Ousmane Dembélé and Bradley Barcola. Everything changed. A change in pace, more acceleration, and the impact of Dembélé and Barcola relieved PSG. It was former Barcelona player Dembélé who, in the 85th minute, broke Le Havre’s resistance. He scored with a header from a great pass by Joao Neves.

In the following play, Barcola scored the third with an individual effort. A great goal, a superb finish. The fourth came from a penalty, conceded by Lloris, allowing Kolo Muani to open his account for the season.