Twitter explodes as Lionel Messi spearheads PSG to a crucial 3-2 victory against RB Leipzig
Lionel Messi shone as Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) beat RB Leipzig on Matchday 3 of the UEFA Champions League. The Argentine scored a brace as his side came from behind to win 3-2 at the Parc des Princes on Tuesday. The win means PSG are now back at the top of Group A with three games to go.
The French powerhouse came into the game off a 2-1 win against Angers at the weekend. Argentinian superstar Lionel Messi missed the weekend's Ligue 1 fixture, as he featured for Argentina in the FIFA World Cup 2022 qualifiers in mid-week.
However, he made his return to the PSG starting XI for this game. However, PSG were still greatly weakened, with Neymar, Angel Di Maria and Mauro Icardi all unavailable for this match. The first two, like Messi, featured in World Cup qualifiers in midweek, and wouldn't have been back in France before the game. Icardi, though, missed the game after an off-field incident.
Kylian Mbappe led the line for PSG on the night, with Messi and Julian Draxler on either side. Mauricio Pochettino couldn't have asked for a better start, as the Frenchman slotted the ball past Peter Gulacsi to make it 1-0 in the eighth minute of the game for PSG.
However, the hosts' joy was short-lived, as Andre Silva finished off a great counter-attack to make it 1-1 in the 26th minute. The Portuguese striker had seen an effort hit the post moments before, but he was on hand to score Leipzig's equaliser.
The rest of the first half was rather quiet for PSG, as both Messi and Mbappe tried to carve out chances for the French side. Leipzig, though, were content to sit back and soak up the pressure. The German side found multiple opportunities on the counter-attack in the first half, with Christopher Nkunku coming close to giving his side the lead at the end of the half.
Lionel Messi steals the spotlight for PSG in the second half
The second half started with Leipzig being the more dominant side. PSG could not keep possession for long enough to create any chances to score. All of Leipzig's pressure paid off in the 57th minute when Nordi Mukiele smashed the ball home following a great cross from Angelino. The left-back assisted both goals for the German side against PSG.
Leipzig continued to put pressure on PSG. However, Kylian Mbappe broke away in the 66th minute, and laid the ball off to Lionel Messi to make it 2-2. The Argentinian superstar saw his first shot deflect on to the post, but followed that to level the scores on the night. The goal was the forward's second in this season's group stage following his strike in the win against Manchester City.
Things got even better for PSG in the 72nd minute when Kylian Mbappe was brought down in the box by Mohamed Simakan, and PSG were awarded a penalty. Lionel Messi stepped up and scored a nonchalant Panenka to put PSG in front. Leipzig kept the pressure on for the rest of the half as they looked for an equaliser. However, PSG managed to keep the German side at bay.
Lionel Messi then got a chance to complete his hat-trick in the final moments of the game, when Achraf Hakimi won his side a penalty. However, the Argentine surprisingly allowed Mbappe to take the spot-kick, instead.
The decision backfired, as the Frenchman skied his spot-kick, even though it would not have made much of a difference had he scored. PSG saw out the final few moments to win the game and move atop Group A.
On that note, here are the best reactions from Twitter following Lionel Messi's match-winning display against RB Leipzig:
📋 The starting XI for tonight 👀#PSGRBL
🔴🔵#AllezParis https://t.co/Kr71zXUIjG
Ronaldinho and Messi reunited at the Parc de Princes 🤗
(via @hadrien_grenier) https://t.co/cL6Z2BKxEA
Mbappe this season:
7 goals
7 assists
All around baller 🔥 https://t.co/OKsaj6xEIb
Mbappe makes it look so easy 💨
(via @CBSSportsGolazo)
https://t.co/wqAnYqCdJl
Kylian Mbappé has been involved in his 40th goal in the Champions League since he joined Paris in 2017/18 (22 goals, 18 assists), only Robert Lewandowski has had more goal contributions in the #UCL over that period (43) [Opta] https://t.co/SbLgMRF9jL
Oh what a sublime assist that is from Angeliño 😍
RB Leipzig take the lead in Paris!
#UCL https://t.co/S4tmSQYHME
The easiest goal Lionel Messi will ever score 😏 https://t.co/5AOtB8rwDY
🇦🇷 Leo Messi in the Champions League:
⚽️1⃣2⃣3⃣
👕1⃣5⃣2⃣
#UCL https://t.co/QKvtw2RFXK
MESSI WHAT A PENALTY TO COMPLETE THE COMEBACK AND SCORE HIS 2ND GOAL TONIGHT 🤣🤣🔥🔥🔥 https://t.co/0qaDEH3UXy
Great of PSG to score first and allow Leipzig to take the lead only for Lionel Messi to score twice.
Messi tap in and penalty in one night, oh my God inject this in my bloodstream, the tears we are about to witness
Messi carrying that irrelevant club.
As expected.
Messi keeping all his goals for the UCL. Neither he or us care about Ligue 1 👍
Mbappé had told Messi to shoot the penalty despite him scoring his last two game deciding penalties to help boost his confidence. classic arrogant personality!
Messi getting all the credit when Mbappe is having a MOTM performance https://t.co/AEqLy6SJqT
When you thought you were going to see Messi’s first PSG hat-trick... https://t.co/SHskbXXHkh
Kylian Mbappe searching for where that penalty landed 🚀
Lionel Messi won't be so kind next time 😅 https://t.co/DGNGiUiusA
Lionel Messi's game by numbers vs RB Leipzig:
91.2% pass accuracy
85 touches
9 duels won
7 dribbles (most)
5 shots (most)
4 ball recoveries
2 fouls won
2 goals (most)
Sensational. https://t.co/c5rhMr5Que
Messi had the chance to score a hattrick but gave it to the Mbappe who missed, the most humble goat of all time.
Mbappe twitter.com/psgalu/status/…
Messi brace + Mbappe penalty miss in the same game? https://t.co/izUlwCIgtS