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Lionel Messi came to PSG's rescue as a second-half brace from him was needed to help them beat RB Leipzig 3-2 in their UEFA Champions League clash. The Ligue 1 side were down 2-1 against the Bundesliga runners-up at the Parc des Princes, before the Argentine scored his 2nd and 3rd goal for his new club.
Kylian Mbappe handed the home side the lead in the first half, but RB Leipzig quickly struck back. Goals from Andre Silva and Nordi Mukiele on either side of the half-time whistle saw them take the lead and head towards their first points in the UEFA Champions League this season.
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However, Lionel Messi was unwilling to give up and scored the equalizer in the 67th minute. A foul on Kylian Mbappe inside the box handed PSG a golden chance to take the lead in the form of a penalty, and the Argentine did precisely that. The French side were handed another penalty in injury time, but Mbappe stepped up this time and failed to convert as the game ended 3-2.
PSG now sit atop Group A in the UEFA Champions League with 7 points from 3 matches. At the halfway mark of the group stage, PSG find themselves one point ahead of Premier League champions Manchester City.
Without further ado, here is a look at
PSG's 5 best players from the 3-2 win over RB Leipzig in Matchday 3 of the UEFA Champions League
#5 Georginio Wijnaldum
Georginio Wijnaldum revealed last week he was not happy with his situation at PSG, but things have not changed much. He said:
"The situation is not what I wanted. I have played a lot in recent years, was always fit and also did very well. This is something different and that takes getting used to. I was really looking forward to the new step and then this happens. It is very difficult. That's football and I'll have to learn to deal with that. I'm a fighter. I have to stay positive and work hard to turn it around."
The Dutchman was on the bench once again today but came on after the hour mark. The change proved vital as PSG gained control of the game and turned things around.
Mauricio Pochettino now has to make a big decision in the upcoming games as Wijnaldum has done enough to prove himself.
The former Liverpool man did more in 30 minutes than Ander Herrera did in the first 60 minutes of the game.
#4 Julian Draxler
With Neymar and Mauro Icardi left out of PSG's squad for the match, Julian Draxler was handed a rare start. The German did not disappoint but he did look a bit rusty on the pitch.
While Draxler did not get on the scoresheet today, he was involved in the build-up play for the goals. He often switched positions with Kylian Mbappe and was often seen drifting towards the left – pulling the RB Leipzig defenders out of position.
Draxler has not done much to prove he deserves to keep his place in the starting XI and when Icardi or Neymar return, the German is likely to make way. However, he put in a good performance for PSG against the Bundesliga side in matchday 3 of the UEFA Champions League.
#3 Kylian Mbappe
PSG's Kylian Mbappe was awarded the Man of the Match award for his performance against RB Leipzig, but he was far from perfect. Granted, the Frenchman scored a superb goal early in the game and then linked up well with Lionel Messi and Julian Draxler. However, Mbappe does have the potential to be even better as per the lofty standards he has set.
He managed to get an assist by setting Messi up once again for his second goal in the PSG shirt. The former AS Monaco star went on to win a penalty midway into the second half that helped PSG secure the win after Messi successfully converted from the spot.
Mbappe did have a chance to put the icing on the cake tonight with a penalty in stoppage time, but his penalty went well over the bar.
Speaking to the media after the game, he said:
"Why did I leave the penalty to Messi? Normal. It's respect. He's the best player in the world. He comes to our team, it's a privilege that he comes to play with us. There is a penalty, he took it and scored. The 2nd, he wanted to give it to me, and I missed.”
#2 Marco Verratti
Marco Verratti put on a man-of-the-match display on his return in PSG's win over Manchester City on the previous UEFA Champions League matchday. He took off from where he left off against RB Leipzig and kept the PSG side ticking.
The Italian was at the heart of all PSG moves and was the one linking the defense with the attack. He did have a few sloppy moments in the first half but was untouchable in the second half.
Verratti finished the game with 92% pass success, 3 dribbles, 3 tackles, and even won an aerial duel. Safe to say, without the Italian, PSG would have suffered in midfield as a result of RB Leipzig's press.
#1 Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi's multi-record-equalling performance against RB Leipzig at the Parc des Princes undeniably helped PSG win. The Argentine first made RB Leipzig the 37th team to concede a goal to him in the UEFA Champions League (equaling Cristiano Ronaldo). He then went on to match Neymar and Mauro Icardi's record of 3 goals in their respective first three UEFA Champions League appearances for PSG.
The former Barcelona man was hungry for goals once again today and he got two in 7 second-half minutes. He first tucked in the equalizer from a good move and then scored from the spot via a panenka to hand PSG the win.
Messi finished the game with 92% pass success, 7 dribbles, and an aerial duel.
