Hakimi scored twice, PSG beat Brest 3-0 and returned to the top
PSG beat Brest 3-0 thanks to two goals from Achraf Hakimi (29', 39') and Doue's 90+6 minute winner. The away team controlled the game, slowed down after the break and temporarily moved to the top of the Ligue 1 table.
On a night when PSG didn't need to go all out, Achraf Hakimi still had enough to decide the match with a double in the first half, before Doue closed out the 3-0 victory in the 90+6 minute. The three points temporarily put the Paris team back at the top of Ligue 1, pending the result of the big match between Marseille and Lens.
Key developments PSG vs Brest: Hakimi opens the way, Doue closes the deal
In the 29th minute, Hakimi charged up the right side, caught the transition and fired a decisive shot from outside the box, opening the score when the Brest goalkeeper was rooted to the spot. Ten minutes later (39'), the Moroccan defender reappeared at the right spot to shoot accurately in the 16m50 area, doubling the gap.
In the second half, PSG took the initiative to slow down, save energy but still maintain control. Brest tried to push up the formation to find an equalizer, but the decisive moves were all neutralized thanks to the visitors' tight defensive structure and superior ball possession. In the last minute of injury time (90'+6), Warren Zaïre-Emery passed the ball to Doue, sealing a 3-0 victory.
Tactical analysis: The right flank is the main attack
Hakimi’s two goals clearly outlined PSG’s plan of attack: push the right flank as a spearhead. When the visitors won the ball back, Hakimi immediately moved forward to occupy the wide area, applying pressure with his speed and ability to finish early. His long-range shot in the 29th minute came from a gap in the right flank of the Brest defence; the one in the 39th minute was a result of PSG crowding their players into the 18-yard box, forcing their opponents into a defensive position.
In midfield, the trio of Warren Zaïre-Emery – Lee Kang In – Vitinha helped PSG control the tempo. One kept the rhythm, one opened the passing angle, the other was ready to move into the half space to connect with the wing. Thanks to that, the away team not only attacked in a diverse way but also easily “locked” Brest’s counter-attacks right from the middle of the field.
On the left, Theo Hernandez maintained his height to stretch the Brest defence, thereby giving Hakimi more space on the opposite flank. With a two-goal lead, PSG switched to a risk management model: maintaining structure, limiting losses in the middle, prioritizing safe passing options over constant speed.
Brest deadlocked against tight defense
Brest's efforts to push the flanks failed to create clear-cut chances. As the home team pushed forward, PSG immediately dropped back into a double formation, covering the area in front of the penalty area. Crosses were cleared, and central combinations lacked the speed to penetrate. The two-goal gap forced Brest to take risks, but space behind them opened up for PSG to counterattack and finish off in the 90'+6 minute.
Statistics and highlights
| Minute | Player | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 29' | Achraf Hakimi | 0-1 |
| 39' | Achraf Hakimi | 0-2 |
| 90'+6 | Doue | 0-3 |
- Hakimi scored twice, becoming the explosive point on the right wing.
- PSG kept a clean sheet thanks to a tight defensive structure and rhythm control.
- Doue scored late on from a Warren Zaïre-Emery assist.
Impact on the Ligue 1 race
The victory temporarily brought PSG back to the top of Ligue 1. This position will be determined after Marseille faces Lens. Although not needing to accelerate, PSG still showed a difference in quality and organization, a favorable signal for the upcoming race.
