Two goals from Lionel Messi managed to bring Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) to win over RB Leipzig in the Champions League.
PSG managed to beat Leipzig with a score of 3-2 in the Champions League Group A match which was held at the Parc des Princes Stadium, Tuesday (19/10).
Leipzig actually got off to a good start but goalkeeper Keylor Navas made two brilliant saves in a row against Silva and Konrad Laimer in the seventh minute.
Two minutes later, PSG took the lead when Mbappe ran alone through the visitors’ defense before beating goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi with a flick into the bottom left corner.
Despite falling behind, Leipzig had plenty of chances to equalize including in the 27th minute when Navas made another brilliant save from Silva’s finish.
However, a minute later Leipzig’s hard work finally paid off when Angelino sent a fine cross that tricked the PSG defense and was perfectly welcomed by Silva to make it 1-1.
Three minutes before halftime Christopher Nkunku managed to outwit Nuno Mendes and Presnel Kimpembe, unfortunately the final settlement was still off the side of the PSG goal so the score lasted until halftime.
Both teams entered the second half with aggressive play but it was Leipzig who grabbed an additional goal in the 57th minute when Mukiele was well positioned to meet Angelino’s cross with a volley that gave Navas no chance to react. Leipzig turned 2-1 ahead over PSG.
Leipzig should have added to their lead in the 65th minute when Silva tried to finish off Nkunku’s free-kick but again Navas made a fine save.
Navas’ skill was paid off by his colleagues because two minutes later PSG managed to equalize starting with Mbappe’s shot which Gulacsi blocked, but the ball rolled towards free-standing Messi to cheat it into the no-man’s net.
Leipzig’s fortunes were reversed when Pascal Sisian was forced to bring down Mbappe inside the box in the 73rd minute which saw referee Marco Guida immediately award a penalty kick for PSG.
Lionel Messi faced the ball at the spot and calmly fired a Panenka-style penalty to outwit Gulacsi and put PSG back in front 3-2 over Leipzig.
PSG actually had the opportunity to kill the game early when they were awarded another penalty kick in the third minute of injury time.
However, Mbappe, who this time stepped down as the executioner, released a penalty that soared over the crossbar. Luckily for Mbappe, because his failure did not have to be paid dearly because Leipzig were also unable to score a reply in the remaining time.
PSG will then switch to Leipzig’s headquarters at the Red Bull Arena, Germany, for their next match on November 3.
PSG restored their position at the top of Group A with nine full points after being evicted by Manchester City (6) who won the match early. While Leipzig, which is still pointless in three matches, has not moved from the bottom of the standings under Club Brugge (4).
