LIONEL MESSI lashed home his first goal for PSG as the French side beat Man City 2-0 in the Champions League.
The Argentinian legend scored a trademark effort into the top corner after putting in a sensational performance for the Ligue 1 side.
Idrissa Gueye had opened the scoring for the hosts as Mauricio Pochettino’s men stunned the Premier League champions.
JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)
Follow ALL of the latest updates below…
AU REVOIR
We’ll always have Paris? I don’t know about that but we’ll always have that Lionel Messi goal.
Whether in Barcelona burgundy or PSG blue, the Argentine proved once again that he is capable of genius.
In netting his first goal for the French club, he reminded the football world – as if they needed it – of his ability to win games single handedly. With the PSG goalkeeper, defence and and midfield all looking the part, maybe this really is the squad that brings the Champions League to the Parc des Princes.
Manchester City will have other ideas, of course, but first return to England with a bruised ego after defeat here. They’ll have to regroup quickly for Sunday’s trip to Anfield in the Premier League, and maybe then they can decide on how they’re going to best conquer Europe.
Goodnight.
THE MAIN MAN (CITY TORMENTOR)
Rumours of Lionel Messi’s demise had been greatly exaggerated.
CAUSE FOR A-LARM?
Paris Saint-Germain’s victory this evening takes them to the top of Group A with Club Bruges in close pursuit after the Belgians pulled off a surprise win in Germany.
Manchester City find themselves in third place and will face Bruges twice over Matchdays 3 and 4. While Pep Guardiola’s men won’t expect to drop points, there is now minimal room for any further slip ups.
- PSG 2-0 Man City
- RB Leipzig 1-2 Bruges
Credit: UEFA.COM
FULL TIME STATS
Manchester City had three times as many attempts on goal as their hosts, but struggled to break down a solid defence and an incredibly hard-working midfield.
FT: PSG 2-0 MAN CITY
A defensive masterclass and a superb first PSG goal for Lionel Messi ensured the Ligue 1 club three Champions League points at the expense of their Premier League counterparts in Group A. City dominated possession for long periods, but couldn’t find a way through the hosts, who held firm between Idrissa Gueye’s opener and Messi’s magic.
PEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!
GAME OVER AT THE PARC DES PRINCES!PSG 2-0 MAN CITY
90+3. Two free-kicks in additional time are thumped goalwards by Mahrez, the first is pushed away by Donnarumma, the second flies into orbit.
This has not been Manchester City’s night.
PSG 2-0 MAN CITY
90. Referee Carlos Del Cerro Grande doesn’t want to let the game pass without getting his money’s worth so lets out several shrill blasts of his whistle after Gueye chops down Mahrez.
PSG 2-0 MAN CITY
88. Sorry, I missed a couple of minutes because I was too excited by Sheriff Tiraspol taking the lead at the Bernabeu.
PSG 2-0 MAN CITY
86. Mbappe almost adds the icing on the cake but can’t beat Ederson from a narrow angle on the left.
PSG 2-0 MAN CITY
84. This PSG defence looks impenetrable.
Be it Marquinhos, Kimpembe, Hakimi or Nuno Mendes, they have all looked solid as a rock.
It must be disheartening to realise that if you are able to find a way beyond them, you’ve then got to get past Donnarumma.
PSG 2-0 MAN CITY
82. Gabriel Jesus catches Messi with a clumsy boot to the knee. Well, it’s Brazil versus Argentina, what do you expect?
PSG 2-0 MAN CITY
80. Into the last ten minutes now, and City’s players finally look resigned to defeat in Paris.
For all the hype around PSG’s attacking riches and their front three, it’s been their defence that has been consistently impressive tonight.
PSG 2-0 MAN CITY
78. Marco Verratti is going off now, but not before one last act. The Italian takes a sliding swipe at a City player to earn himself a yellow card.
On comes Georginio Wijnaldum to replace him.
PSG 2-0 MAN CITY
77. The game looks up for City now, but it’s not going to stop them trying. Gabriel Jesus is on for Raheem Sterling.
PSG 2-0 MAN CITY
74. Stunning! Absolutely stunning!
It’s a goal we’ve seen Lionel Messi score many times before but never in the colours of Paris Saint-Germain.
The Argentine collects the ball on the right just inside the Manchester City half, and attacks with blistering pace.
As he approaches the penalty area, Messi plants a pass into Kylian Mbappe, who responds with a brilliant flick back into the path of his teammate.
Taking the shot on first time, Messi unleashes a brilliant left-footer the curls away from Ederson and into the top right corner.
GOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLL!!
HE’S DONE IT!!
LIONEL MESSI SCORES HIS FIRST FOR PSG!!PSG 1-0 MAN CITY
70. A lengthy spell of City possession fails to open up the PSG defence, and so it’s left to De Bruyne to strike at goal from 25 yards.
It’s not a bad effort on the pull, but never looked like troubling Donnarumma as it drops wide.
PSG 1-0 MAN CITY
68. Foden involves him immediately, and sends in two testing crosses in quick succession.
Donnarumma gets to the first before Marquinhos expertly clears the second.
PSG 1-0 MAN CITY
66. A well-timed tackle from Verratti on Grealish inside the penalty area spells the end of the latest Manchester City attack, a weaving run from the forward, and – ultimately – the the England star’s night.
Grealish’s number goes up on the board, and he’ll be replaced by Phil Foden. It’s been a tough encounter for the departing City man up against Achraf Hakimi.
PSG 1-0 MAN CITY
64. Neymar almost makes a goalscoring return to the action following his pitchside treatment.
The Brazilian latches on to a poor pass to speed through on goal, but finds himself against a worthy adversary in Kyle Walker.
The defender matches the PSG forward for pace, and then does enough to ensure he’s off balance when striking into the side netting.
PSG 1-0 MAN CITY
61. Grealish is furious that the game has been stopped in order to allow Neymar to receive treatment when there is clearly little wrong with the Brazilian.
Mind you, you wouldn’t think that if you had heard the screams that greeted a robust challenge from Rodri.
PSG 1-0 MAN CITY
59. An excellent tackle by Hakimi prevents Grealish from getting to the byline.
It’s such a good challenge that it’s hard to feel aggrieved by a goalkick being awarded when it clearly came off the defender last.
PSG 1-0 MAN CITY
58. Donnarumma denies De Bruyne again! This time the goalkeeper is brave in darting off his line to knock Cancelo’s cross away from the dangling foot of City’s Belgian.
PSG 1-0 MAN CITY
56. The home side continue to double up on Grealish whenever the City forward comes into possession.
It’s just as well because when the England international gets away from Hakimi on the left with ease, it’s left to Herrera to step in and block the cross that follows.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
