Goncalo Ramos rescued a point for Paris Saint-Germain as they claimed a 3-3 draw against relegation-threatened Le Havre on Saturday evening. Luis Enrique’s side knew that a win would have seen them crowned as champions but they almost slipped to a shock defeat. The visitors took a 3-1 lead and looked fully worthy of a win but the hosts fought back and claimed a vital point. Paris Saint-Germain’s Ligue 1 title celebrations were put on hold as they were held to a 3-3 draw by relegation-threatened Le Havre.
Luis Enrique’s side were made to wait to secure their third straight domestic crown, with their struggling opponents enjoying a timely boost to their survival hopes.
Christopher Operi broke the deadlock when he rounded off a neat move in the 19th minute and, though Bradley Barcola equalised, Andre Ayew’s deflected strike restored the visitors’ lead before half-time. Le Havre were in dreamland just after the hour mark when Abdoulaye Toure netted from the penalty spot after VAR ruled Danilo Pereira had fouled Loic Nego.
Luis Enrique introduced Goncalo Ramos soon after and the substitute helped PSG back into the contest, with a strong run before feeding Achraf Hakimi to halve the deficit in the 78th minute.
Ramos then grabbed an equaliser in the fifth minute of stoppage time when he glanced home Lee Kang-In’s cross, but the hosts must wait to guarantee the title.
PSG would have wrapped up their third consecutive Ligue 1 title in what was their 700th game under the QSI ownership.
Luis Enrique’s side will have been confident of doing so against Le Havre, who they had only lost to once in 14 home league meetings.
However, their recent struggles continued at Parc des Princes, where they have now won just once in their last five league matches.
As for the visitors, they had clearly not read the script and, despite not quite holding on for three points, Luka Elsner’s side moved out of the relegation play-off place on goal difference.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH – GONCALO RAMOS (PSG)
Though only introduced in the 62nd minute, Ramos certainly made a difference for PSG, with his contribution almost helping them secure the most dramatic of turnarounds.
Setting up Hakimi, he showed great strength to power his way through challenges before providing a perfectly paced through ball for the full-back to finish.
The Portugal international, who also had a shot saved earlier on, then rescued a point with a tremendous last-gasp header from Lee’s centre.
He has now been directly involved in six goals as a substitute this season (five goals, one assist), more than any other player in Ligue 1.
PLAYER RATINGS
PSG: Navas 6, Hakimi 8, Marquinhos 6, Danilo 6, Beraldo 6, Vitinha 7, Zaire-Emery 7, Dembele 7, Asensio 5, Barcola 7, Kolo Muani 5. Subs: Mbappe 5, Lee 7, Mayulu 6, Ramos 8*, Skriniar 6.
Le Havre: Desmas 7, Snarling 7, Salmier 7, Lloris 8, Casimir 7, Operi 8, Negotia 6, Toure 8, Targhalline 7, Sabbi 8, Ayew 8. Subs: Kechta 6, Kuzyaev 6, Joujou 6, El Hajjam N/A.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
19′ – GOAL!!! PSG 0-1 LE HAVRE (OPERI): The visitors take the lead at Parc des Princes! A beautifully crafted move sees Le Havre neatly link up down the right flank. Operi is subsequently in acres of space to receive Sabbi’s pass, before slotting past Navas.
29′ – GOAL!!! PSG 1-1 LE HAVRE (BARCOLA): The hosts are level! They pounce loose play by their opponents with a neat one-two getting Zaire-Emery in behind, before he crosses for Barcola to tap home.
38′ – GOAL!!! PSG 1-2 LE HAVRE (AYEW): The visitors are back in front! This was not in the script! Receiving a long diagonal ball into the box, Nego cleverly backheels it into the path of Ayew. The former Swansea City forward works space to shoot, with his effort taking a deflection off Danilo before beating Navas.
60′ – PENALTY TO LE HAVRE: The referee points to the spot after deeming Danilo caught Nego in the box. This is a great chance for the visitors to extend their lead.
61′ – GOAL!!! PSG 1-3 LE HAVRE (TOURE): The visitors are in dreamland as Toure steps up to the spot, and calmly sends Navas the wrong way.
78′ – GOAL!!! PSG 2-3 LE HAVRE (HAKIMI): The hosts are right back in this! Ramos shows great strength to evade a couple of challenges before producing a well-timed throughball for Hakimi to latch onto, before sliding past Desmas.
90+5′ – GOAL!!! PSG 3-3 LE HAVRE (RAMOS): PSG are level! Lee bends in a brilliant cross from the right. Ramos meets it and brilliantly guides his header beyond the dive of Desmas.