UEFA Champions League: PSG wins RB Leipzig thanks to two goals from Lionel Messi.
Paris Saint-Germain came from behind to overcome RB Leipzig 3-2 in the Champions League on Tuesday, with Lionel Messi scoring twice and Kylian Mbappe excelling but missing a penalty. PSG had taken the lead at the Parc des Princes thanks to Mbappe's goal, but Leipzig, who had been humiliated 6-3 by Manchester City earlier in the competition, did not fall apart in the French capital.
Instead, goals from Andre Silva and Nordi Mukiele put them in front, and PSG appeared to be on the verge of paying the price for yet another fragmented performance.
Mbappe and Messi, on the other hand, came to their rescue. The Argentinian was set up by Mbappe for the equalizer and then coolly chipped in a penalty in the 74th minute for a foul on Mbappe.
Mauricio Pochettino's side, who also saw Mbappe miss a penalty in injury time, are now a point ahead of City, who triumphed 5-1 at Club Brugge earlier in the day. Leipzig, who were eliminated in the semi-finals by PSG in 2020, are at the bottom of the table with no points to their name.
PSG won despite the fact that Neymar was out due to an adductor muscle injury. In any case, the world's most expensive player has not been himself this season, scoring only one goal from the penalty spot thus far. Mbappe has been PSG's primary man while Messi has been fitting in to his new surroundings.
– Glitz and glam – Julian Draxler joined them in the Paris attack, making a rare start with Angel di Maria suspended and Mauro Icardi unavailable for family reasons amid rumors of a rift with his wife Wanda Nara, his agency and an Instagram superstar.
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Ronaldinho, a former PSG player and later a teammate of Messi's at Barcelona, added to the glamor and glamour of the Parc des Princes. During the warm-up, the Brazilian hugged Messi before conducting a lap of honor.
Mbappe, who appeared in the mood when he took PSG the lead nine minutes in, could not have failed to please Ronaldinho, who was perhaps the best player in the world for a brief period. The home side broke immediately, and Draxler released Mbappe just inside the opposing half as Silva pleaded for a free kick on the edge of the Paris box in vain.
The France striker accelerated towards goal before firing a low shot past Peter Gulacsi for his sixth goal of the season and first in the Champions League. Leipzig, on the other hand, were a threat, despite their inconsistency in the Bundesliga under new coach Jesse Marsch.
Silva missed the post with a turn attempt, but the Germans were level in the 28th minute, thanks to a low ball across goal from Angelino, which was turned in by Portugal international Silva. When Leipzig took the lead in the 57th minute, Angelino crossed for Mukiele, a French international, who stabbed the ball past Keylor Navas.
PSG was in a bad way. They still don't appear to be the fully-rounded club capable of dominating Europe, but their marquee players came through when it mattered most. Midway through the second half, Mbappe set up Messi for an equalizer, with the Argentine following up after his original shot struck the post. That was his second PSG goal, following his spectacular performance in last month's win over City.
After the spectacular Mbappe had been fouled by Mohamed Simakan, he beat Gulacsi from the spot for the victory. After a VAR review, another penalty was awarded in stoppage time for a foul on Achaf Hakimi, potentially giving the Argentine a hat-trick. Mbappe, on the other hand, stepped up and blasted the kick over the bar.
Both teams will lock horns again as RB Leipzig hosts Paris Saint-Germain in Matchday 4.
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