Twitter explodes as Lionel Messi blanks for PSG in 2-1 Manchester City defeat
Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) locked horns in an intriguing UEFA Champions League group stage encounter at the Etihad Stadium. In what turned out to be a captivating game of football, particularly in the second half, the home side staged an impressive comeback to record a 2-1 victory.
PSG's star-studded front-three of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe showed glimpses of their brilliance in the first half at the Etihad Stadium but were unable to put the ball in the back of the net. The home side, on the other hand, also had their moments, but they weren't as dominant as they usually were before the interval.
The second half turned out to be an entertaining period, with Mbappe breaking the deadlock from close range. The Frenchman, who became the second-youngest player in UEFA Champions League history to make 50 appearances, latched onto a Messi pass to put PSG ahead.
Mauricio Pochettino's side looked well set for a famous victory away from home, but Manchester City struck back in style to turn the tide in their favor courtesy of Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus. PSG started the second half well, but Manchester City grew into the game progressively and deservedly secured the points to seal their place in the knockout stages.
Messi was the star of the show in the reverse fixture, but the Argentine great was unable to spearhead his side to an important victory in Europe. He registered an assist early in the second half, but that was as good as it got from the night, with PSG once again faltering away from home against one of the traditional heavyweights.
With eight points from five games, PSG are also through to the knockout stages despite losing on the night, with Leipzig's victory against Club Brugge effectively ending the Belgian club's hopes of securing qualification.
Messi to turn attention towards Ballon d'Or after securing UCL qualification with PSG
As for Messi, he will now look to get his name on the scoresheet against St-Etienne in a Ligue 1 fixture this weekend, much like he did last time around against Nantes. The former Barcelona man is also expected to lift his seventh Ballon d'Or on the 29th of November, as he looks set to beat Robert Lewandowski, Jorginho, Mohamed Salah, Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappe and others to the prized accolade.
In what turned out to be a night of mixed emotions for PSG and Messi, here are some of the best tweets from the game.
Messi's vision is Insane 🐐🤯
https://t.co/Zwr0HecoRw
Messi, Neymar, and Mbappé on the pitch...
But this kid went straight to Bernardo Silva for his shirt ❤️
Priorities.
#UCL https://t.co/SlaDy3tY8T
16 goals and 16 assists so far this season for Mbappe 😁 https://t.co/sx1SGP8Hoi
Messi after that Bernardo touch for the Jesus goal. Sometimes all you can do is appreciate greatness 🐐😭🇵🇹 https://t.co/uExLBIQfPJ
PSG confirmed 2nd means a very tough Round of 16 game.. Positive stat to cheer you all up; no player has scored more in that round than Messi.
We wait and see 🤞🏻
Messi playing in a counter attack and inshallah against a possession dominating opposition, makes me sick
Messi is paying for his bad career decisions..He should have left barca back in 2017 but waited until laporta tells him to find a new club two days before transfer window ends and he had no option but to join psg.
“I don’t believe teams can carry anybody now”
@carra23 believe PSG won’t win the #UCL because of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe 👀 https://t.co/CkQcRWLQX2
🔥 “Neymar, overrated. Give me Sterling, Bernardo Silva over him.”
❌ “He doesn’t work hard enough. Tonight, you saw the player he truly is.”
Jason Cundy tears in to ‘overrated’ Neymar 👀 https://t.co/MwITrIrajH
Distance covered in the #UCL this season for PSG
42.08km - Neymar (10.52 per 90)
39.06km - Mbappé (8.57 per 90)
33.14km - Messi (8.25 per 90)
For context:
42.82km Mo Salah (9.63 per 90)
Stop putting Neymar in the same bracket. He covers more distance than most forwards. twitter.com/carra23/status…
Seeing Messi and Neymar try to run the counter attack https://t.co/lYJIOof6UP
I haven’t seen Neymar hit the target in 3 years
Champions League Mahrez is actually scarier then Neymar, Messi and Mbappe and it has to be said.
Kyle walker has casually pocketed neymar four times in the space of a year
Now you see why Neymar had less non-penalty goals than Danny Welbeck last season.
Neymar has become so unclinical as hes gotten older
Neymar is truly washed. Sad to see
Cancelo this, Trent that but at very top level football Kyle Walker is a defensive monster.
Mbappe and Neymar frightened to death of him
Started by Messi, finished by Mbappé. Once again, WHAT A DUO.
The last word class club manager Messi has was Luis Enrique, and that was 6 years ago…
I can’t be the only one who wished Messi joined City instead of PSG
Neymar is finished..mf doesn't know how to make a simple pass
Pep Guardiola masterclass, you have to just respect it.
Pep Guardiola is the greatest coach the game of football will ever see, none of those comparisons with SAF
Messi is literally playing as a defensive midfielder man 😭
And here we all thought Messi’s days of playing as a CDM were over when he left Barca.. little did we know ladies and gentlemen 😂