PSG hammered Maccabi Haifa 7-2 in the Champions League with superstar forwards Kylian Mbappe, Neymar and Lionel Messi all on the scoresheet.
Paris Saint-Germain cruised into the group stages of the Champions with a game to spare thanks to a 7-2demolition of Maccabi Haifa at the Parc des Princes.
Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi, and Neymar were all on the scoresheet as the home side's superstar forwards turned on the style and then some.
The game was disrupted in the early minutes by fans letting off flairs and pyrotechnics in the stands and when play restarted, it was PSG who provided the fireworks on the pitch.
Messi celebrated his 50th goal in PSG colours by scoring two glorious goals and picking up two assists as he continued the superb form he's shown this season.
Mbappe also bagged a eye-catching brace, while Neymar pulled the strings all night long and also deservedly ended up on the scoresheet for the Parisiens.
Below, GOAL runs through the winners and losers from a big win for PSG…
GettyThe Winners
Lionel Messi:
The Argentina international has not lifted the European Cup since 2015 but you wouldn’t bet against the little genius getting his hands on the trophy again this season, particularly given the way he has started the campaign for PSG. Messi had done very little until he poked home the opener with a gorgeous finish. The goal seemed to spark the 35-year-old into life as he combined with Neymar and Mbappe to great effect in the first half. His second goal was another brilliant effort and means he now has three in four Champions League appearances this season and 12 for the season in all competitions. Only the crossbar denied Messi his ninth Champions League hat-trick.
Neymar:
Messi’s form is being matched by Neymar, who put in another influential showing. The Brazilian teed up Fabian Ruiz and Achraf Hakimi for chances and would have had more assists if either player had been able to take the chances offered. The duo couldn’t but Messi certainly could for the opening goal and then returned the favour for Neymar to bag his second Champions League goal of the season. The Brazilian thought he'd scored his second after the break but it will go down as a Sean Goldberg own goal after the defender stuck out a leg to divert the ball into the back of the net. Plenty has been made of Neymar’s relationship with Kylian Mbappe this season but it’s also worth noting the Brazilian ended up picking up a yellow card for his protestations after the Frenchman had been taken down by a late challenge.
Kylian Mbappe
Mbappe was in the headlines again before the match amid claims of an eye-watering contract at PSG but showed exactly how valuable he is with another double for the French side. The 23-year-old has now scored 10 times in his last eight Champions League appearances. PSG fans also made their feelings clear about the striker when he was substituted. There may have been boos at the Ballon d'Or ceremony for Mbappe but there was a standing ovation on Wednesday when Mbappe was given a breather late on.
AdvertisementGettyThe Losers
The PSG defence:
PSG’s attack is the envy of Europe but it’s a different story at the other end of the pitch, which will offer rivals hope that the Ligue 1 leaders can be beaten. Christophe Galtier’s side conceded two goals here and also offered up several other chances to Maccabi Haifa in a less than convincing display by the backline. PSG have now conceded six in five Champions League games and will need to tighten up significantly in the knockout stages if they are to win the European Cup for the first time in the club's history.
The rest of Europe:
Still, this result means PSG are safely into the knockout stages with a game to spare and it will also send out a message to the rest of Europe. There are surely no defences that will relish taking on Mbappe, Neymar and Messi, particularly in this form, and PSG will feel they can outscore any team as long as their key trio stay fit and firing. PSG hit four goals in the first half of a Champions League for the first time since 2018 and didn't let off after half-time even though the game was effectively won.
GettyPSG Ratings: The defence
Gianluigi Donnarumma (5/10): Didn’t cover himself in glory for PSG’s first goal. The goalkeeper came for the cross and then stopped but otherwise was solid enough.
Achraf Hakimi (6/10): Decent going forwards for PSG. A brilliant run and cross teed up Mbappe for PSG’s fifth of the night.
Sergio Ramos (4/10): Was troubled by the pace of Tjaronn Chery and booked for an ugly challenge in the first half. Beaten in the air by Frantzdy Pierrot which almost led to another goal for the visitors.
Marquinhos (5/10): Won’t want to see replays of the opening goal again and wasn't as commanding as he needed to be.
Bernat (5/10): Not a convincing performance at all at left-back. Was beaten easily at times and also switched off the opener.
GettyMidfield
Vitinha (7/10): A lively performance in midfield with some lovely footwork at times that Maccabi Haifa struggled to cope with.
Fabian Ruiz (6/10): Decent enough in midfield but wasted a brilliant chance to open the scoring when he fired wide from a gorgeous Neymar pass with just the goalkeeper to beat.
Renato Sanches (5/10): Didn’t offer too much in midfield and was taken off midway through the second half.