Stats & Facts: A look back at the victory in Le Havre

On your marks

It was a night of firsts for Paris Saint-Germain. On the pitch of the Stade Océane this Friday, August 16, 2024, several players had their first touches in the Rouge et Bleu. Willian Pacho and João Neves, who both arrived in the capital this summer, got to experience their new environment and unanimously impressed with their performances.

It was also a first for Ibrahim Mbaye, who already knows the colours well, being a reigning U19 champion with PSG. He made his professional debut this Friday night after two promising friendly performances. On Friday evening, Ibrahim Mbaye became the youngest starter in the history of Les Rouge et Bleu at 16 years, 6 months, and 23 days, surpassing none other than Warren Zaïre-Emery (16 years, 9 months, 29 days). It’s safe to say Warren might be feeling a bit old now…

Finally, another first, as Achraf Hakimi wore the captain’s armband. The bronze medalist at the Paris 2024 Olympics with Morocco became the 80th captain in Paris Saint-Germain’s history!

sET?

A historic moment in Le Havre. This Friday, Paris Saint-Germain fielded the youngest starting line-up in its history across all competitions, with an average age of 22 years and 192 days, breaking the previous record set on 28 May 1985, against Nancy, also in Ligue 1 (22 years and 314 days).

PSG have now won 8 of its last 10 opening matches of a Ligue 1 season, continuing a tradition that was revived after last season's goalless draw in the opener against Lorient.

Moreover, for the first time since 2016 (against Monaco), Paris scored three goals after the 85th minute in a Ligue 1 match, capping off a thrilling end to the game!

go!

First official goalscorer of the season, Lee Kang-In wasted no time finding the back of the net. Latecomers would surely be frustrated, as he scored the fastest first goal of a Ligue 1 season (2 minutes and 4 seconds) since 2009! 신속한! Pronounced “Sinsokhan,” this means “fast” in Korean. You’re welcome.

While Lee started strong, others finished with a bang. Dembélé, Barcola and Kolo Muani all found the net after coming on as substitutes, marking only the second time in PSG’s history that three substitutes have scored in the same Ligue 1 match (the first was on 3 September 1996, against Montpellier, with goals from Dely Valdes, Leonardo and Laurent Fournier).

To top it off with a sweet note, João Neves became only the second player this century to provide a double assist on his debut for Paris in a single match across all competitions, following Bonaventure Kalou on 29 July 2005, against Metz in Ligue 1 (who picked up three assists). Additionally, since Opta began collecting this data in 2006-07, only Péguy Luyindula had managed to deliver two assists as a substitute for the club in a Ligue 1 match (also two assists at Boulogne-sur-Mer on 2 December 2009).