Le Havre Women produced a stirring away performance to beat Montpellier Women 3-2 in the French women’s top flight on Tuesday night, with a late goal settling a five-goal thriller at Stade Bernard Gasset. The result hands Le Havre a valuable three points in their push up the Ligue 1 Féminine table, while Montpellier are left to rue a defensive display that undid much of their attacking efforts.

Match overview

Montpellier began with intent and were rewarded inside the opening quarter-hour. Léa Khelifi, operating between the lines, latched onto a loose ball on the edge of the box and drilled a low strike beyond the Le Havre goalkeeper to give the hosts a deserved lead. The home side continued to dominate possession, but Le Havre stayed compact and gradually grew into the contest.

The visitors levelled just before the half-hour mark when Chloé Lefèvre capitalised on a quick transition, finishing calmly after a driving run from midfield. That goal changed the mood of the match. Le Havre began to press higher and forced Montpellier into a series of rushed clearances, though the score remained level at the interval.

Early in the second half, Le Havre struck again. Lefèvre doubled her tally with a well-timed run into the penalty area, converting a low cross from the right. Montpellier responded with pressure of their own and equalised with fourteen minutes remaining when Nérilia Mondésir turned sharply inside the box and found the bottom corner. Just as the game appeared to be heading for a draw, Le Havre won it late through Juliette Roux, who swept home a rebound after a goalmouth scramble.

Key moments

• 12′ – Montpellier 1-0: Léa Khelifi opens the scoring with a low drive from the edge of the area.
• 28′ – Montpellier 1-1: Chloé Lefèvre equalises on the counter, finishing a flowing Le Havre move.
• 54′ – Montpellier 1-2: Lefèvre strikes again, converting from close range after a cross from the right.
• 76′ – Montpellier 2-2: Nérilia Mondésir equalises with a composed finish inside the box.
• 88′ – Montpellier 2-3: Juliette Roux pounces on a rebound to score the winner for Le Havre.

Tactical story

Montpellier controlled long spells of possession and looked dangerous whenever Khelifi and Mondésir combined in the final third. However, their willingness to push full-backs high left space for Le Havre to exploit on the counter-attack. Le Havre’s midfield sat deep, absorbed pressure, and looked to release Lefèvre and Roux into the channels at every opportunity. That game plan worked perfectly in transition, and the visitors’ clinical finishing proved the difference in a match where both sides created clear chances.

Standout players

Chloé Lefèvre was the obvious headline act for Le Havre, scoring twice and constantly stretching the Montpellier back line with her movement. Juliette Roux’s late winner capped an energetic display, while Le Havre goalkeeper Pauline Morin made two important second-half saves to keep her side level before the decisive goal. For Montpellier, Nérilia Mondésir was the brightest attacking outlet, and Léa Khelifi’s early goal underlined her ability to influence games from midfield.

Table and season impact

The win lifts Le Havre into the upper half of the Ligue 1 Féminine standings, strengthening their case for a top-six finish as the season progresses. Montpellier, meanwhile, remain in the lower mid-table and will be frustrated at conceding three goals on home soil. With the French women’s league table tightening, both sides will know that points in these tightly contested fixtures could prove decisive come the end of the campaign.