Ligue 1 McDonald's, Matchday 6, 10/10/2026
Lille secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Le Havre in a tight match marred by Tiago Santos's injury. Although their performance was unconvincing, Les Dogues – who are set to face Arsenal in the Champions League next week – sit top of the table.
Davide Ancelotti will probably take nothing but the win from this home fixture against Le Havre. For, even against the bottom side in Ligue 1, Les Dogues struggled greatly to impose their dominance. And, to tell the truth, they never really managed to do so. Yet it had all started perfectly for the northerners, who got off to a flying start thanks to a goal from Dilane Bakwa (1-0), back in the starting line-up, as early as the 5th minute.
Yet this setback did nothing to rattle Didier Digard's men, who seemed invigorated by the opening goal. Playing very high up the pitch, the Normans gradually asserted their dominance. Josh Maja, who had scored against Toulouse FC before the winter break, stood out once again, but failed on two occasions to find the net and equalise.
And as if being pinned back in front of their own goal wasn't enough for Lille, in the 20th minute they saw their team-mate Tiago Santos forced off early, carried off on a stretcher following an unpunished foul by Amir Richardson. Nevertheless, and despite a late attempt by Mbwana Samatta, Les Dogues went into the break with the lead, having never really been in serious danger.
It was a fragile lead, which Samatta – him again – could have wiped out right at the start of the second half, had he, once again, shown a bit more clinical finishing. Seeing his team still on the back foot, Ancelotti was quick to give them a boost by making several substitutions. It proved a successful tactical move for the Italian, as one of his key players, Hákon Haraldsson, provoked Ayumu Seko's sending-off just minutes after coming on.
Reduced to 10 men with around thirty minutes still to play, Le Havre did not give up, but were understandably less incisive. And it was ultimately Lille's Nabil Bentaleb, with a free-kick that struck Gauthier Gallon's crossbar, who gave the Dogues' supporters the biggest thrill of the second half. And whilst the afternoon ultimately ended on a high note for Lille, the provisional leaders of Ligue 1, Le Havre, for their part, bottom of the league with just two points, will once again be lamenting their struggles in the final third.
Berke Özer – 5
Tiago Santos – Not rated
Tanguy Nianzou – 6
Alexsandro – 7
Building on his form from the start of the season, Alexsandro has once again proved himself to be the linchpin of LOSC's defence. Impressive in his anticipation and his ability to read the game, the Brazilian played a crucial role in his side's victory.
Romain Perraud – 4
Maurits Kjærgaard – 4
Nabil Bentaleb – 5
Ngal'ayel Mukau – 4
Dilane Bakwa – 6
The winger quickly opened the scoring with a perfect strike and could well have ended the first half with an assist to his name as well.
Olivier Giroud – 3
Gaëtan Perrin – 4
Lamine Ndiaye – 4
Whilst he showed some excellent attacking qualities on his Ligue 1 debut, Ndiaye was nevertheless at fault for Dilane Bakwa's goal, whilst at times still appearing to be finding his feet defensively.
Amir Richardson – 5
Aly Samatta – 4
It is difficult to assess the Tanzanian's performance, as it proved to be something of a mixed bag. Although lively and a constant threat, Samatta nevertheless squandered several clear-cut chances to equalise.
