In a thrilling match at the Parc des Princes, PSG came from behind to defeat RB Leipzig 3-2. The hosts recaptured top spot in their UEFA Champions League group after Lionel Messi scored a brace.
Both teams showed their potential to counter-attack, but the hosts were the first to do so, taking the lead after just ten minutes.
On the break, Julian Draxler found Kylian Mbappe, who produced an unbelievable piledriver of a finish that left Peter Gulácsi frozen to the spot.
The 22-year-old scored his first Champions League goal of the season with a superb finish.Despite drawing first blood, PSG struggled to defend the wide areas, with André Silva eluding their centre backs on several occasions, hitting the post after 27 minutes before equalizing a minute later.
Another rapid movement caught ‘Les Parisiens’ off guard, with Angelio in acres of space on the left flank, and the Spaniard’s perfect low cross provided Silva with a tap-in for his first European goal for his new club.
Jesse Marsch’s team continued to exploit the wings, and ten minutes after the restart, they gained the lead.
Angelio once again provided the assist, this time to fellow winger Nordi Mukiele, who finished past Keylor Navas to give ‘Die Roten Bullen’ a merited lead.
The hosts immediately even the score by switching to a different system. High up the pitch, Achraf Hakimi caused a turnover, allowing Mbappé to get away and square to Messi, who scored at the second try after his first effort was tipped onto the post.
On the counter, Draxler and Mbappé terrorized the Leipzig defense, with the latter getting a penalty after being brought down by Mohamed Simakan.
Messi stepped up and finished spectacularly, putting the ball into the middle of the goal to extend PSG’s unbeaten run in the Champions League at home, which now stands at 29 games.
Messi might have had a hat-trick, had he taken a second penalty deep into stoppage time, Mbappe stepped up only for the Frenchman to blaze high over the bar.
