Hugo Ekitike makes his case if Kylian Mbappe goes! 6 things we learned as PSG edge Le Havre in first pre-season friendly

Hugo Ekitike 2023-24

Ekitike's second-half strike opened up an otherwise stingy contest between newly promoted Le Havre and the Parisians in Luis Enrique's first game in charge. The 21-year-old scored just after half time, the first goal in a 2-0 win.

Opportunities were sparse before the break. Although the Parisians controlled possession for long stretches, they created little. Marco Asensio, playing in an unfamiliar central position, came closest, seeing a point-blank effort denied.

But PSG found a breakthrough early in the second half. Ekitike provided it, running in on goal, and turning in a rebound after seeing his first effort saved. There was a surprise introduction for Mbappe soon after, the Real Madrid-linked winger given a runout despite being surrounded by contract renewal controversy. And he inevitably scored finding the back of the net with a calm finish right before the final whistle. It ran in contrast to an otherwise anonymous 30-minute cameo.

If this is to be his last showing in a PSG shirt — and it might be — it wasn't a striking one. Ekitike, meanwhile, only has to keep scoring and wait for his chance.

GOAL looks at what we learned during the clash at Campus PSG...