Hakimi’s Quickfire Brace Sparks PSG Back to Ligue 1 Summit in a 3-0 rout of Brest
25 October 2025
Match recap
Paris Saint-Germain reclaimed first place in Ligue 1 with a 3-0 victory away at Brest on Saturday, in round nine. The visitors controlled proceedings from the start and never looked back, with Achraf Hakimi’s brace within ten minutes proving the decisive moment. The Moroccan opened the scoring in the 29th minute and then doubled the advantage in the 39th, before Desiré Doué completed the scoring in stoppage time at 96.
PSG’s win takes them to 20 points, temporarily at the top, two points clear of Marseille who had their own setback earlier. Brest sit on 9 points, sitting mid-table as the league progresses. The result snapped PSG’s recent wobble following draws with Lille and Strasbourg in the previous two rounds.
In the build-up to kick-off, Luis Enrique lined up PSG with a balanced XI, featuring Lucas Chevalier in goal and a backline of Achraf Hakimi, Presnel Kimpembe? (not listed in original), William Saliba, and Lucas Hernandez, with Warren Zaïre-Emery, Vitinha, and Lee Kang-In in midfield and a front three built around Kvaratskhelia, Sini Maiaolo, and Bradley Barcola. Brest fielded Radoslav Maïski in goal, with a defensive setup including Bradley Loko, Sumulalia Kalibali, Jony Díaz, and Kenny Lala in front of him, while the midfield block was led by Hugo Magninieti and Joris Chotard, supporting Pathe Mbodji, Román Del Castillo, and Erike Junior Dina Ebeembi, with Ludovic Ajorque leading the line.
The first half saw PSG dominate possession but create limited clear-cut chances until Hakimi’s two goals in quick succession, first after a neat lay-off and second after a fine individual move past a defender and finish past the keeper. Brest, buoyed by a packed home crowd, briefly threatened late in the half but could not find a breakthrough. The game opened up after the break as PSG sought to kill the match and Brest pressed for a route back into it.
In the second period, a VAR review led to a Brest penalty on the hour for handball, but Román Del Castillo’s kick was blazed over the bar, maintaining PSG’s clean sheet. Enrique then shuffled his pack by making several substitutions to refresh the frontline and midfield, signaling a clear intent to control the closing stages. Five changes brought on fresh legs, including notable entries to steady the midfield and defense and add pace up front.
With the clock ticking, Mamadou Balde (Mama Balde) came close for Brest, forcing a sharp save from Chevalier. Just before full time, Desiré Doué struck the third from a well-placed through ball, sealing a deserved victory for PSG. The result cemented PSG’s advantage at the top as the league breaks for a period of fixtures later that month.
Looking ahead, PSG will travel to Lorient for their next match, while Brest welcome Le Havre to Brittany in a bid to rebound from this setback.
Impact and next fixtures
PSG’s triumph reinforces their title credentials as they push to defend both domestic and European success. The win lifts them to 20 points, with Marseille trailing behind after their earlier defeat. Brest are now looking to recalibrate as they search for consistency in a competitive season and prepare for a home clash with Le Havre in the next round.
In Europe, PSG have already shown strong form with a Super Cup success earlier this season and solid performances in the Champions League, underpinning a season that many expect to be record-breaking if they keep this level up.
Upcoming fixtures include PSG at Lorient and Brest hosting Le Havre, both opportunities to further shape the table as the campaign unfolds.
Humor break: If scoring goals were a dress code, Hakimi arrived in a sharp suit—two in ten minutes and the rest of the game wearing sunglasses. Punchline: When your defense is asleep, Hakimi wakes it up with a pair of wake-up calls, and the scoreboard politely files a complaint with the referee for excessive efficiency.
