Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi combined superbly as Paris Saint-Germain's near-perfect start to the season
Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi combined superbly as Paris Saint-Germain's near-perfect start to the season
continued with a 3-1 win at Maccabi Haifa in the Champions League on Wednesday.
continued with a 3-1 win at Maccabi Haifa in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Messi canceled out Tjarron Chery's first-half wonder after Mbappe's set-up and returned the favor
Messi canceled out Tjarron Chery's first-half wonder after Mbappe's set-up and returned the favor
the France international after the break before Neymar grabbed a late third as the Israeli champions made PSG sweat.
the France international after the break before Neymar grabbed a late third as the Israeli champions made PSG sweat.
PSG top Group H with six points, and Benfica secured a 2-1 win at Juventus.
PSG top Group H with six points, and Benfica secured a 2-1 win at Juventus.
Christophe Galtier's France team travel to Benfica on October 5, while Juventus and Haifa threaten early elimination.
Christophe Galtier's France team travel to Benfica on October 5, while Juventus and Haifa threaten early elimination.
"The season was not good but that's no excuse," said Mbappe. "We made some changes after the break and it worked.
"The season was not good but that's no excuse," said Mbappe. "We made some changes after the break and it worked.
But we have to work hard to get results in terms of how we play because we have a big game ahead."
But we have to work hard to get results in terms of how we play because we have a big game ahead."
PSG started strongly with Mbappe threatening twice in the first half, but they soon fell into disarray and were punished midway through the half.
PSG started strongly with Mbappe threatening twice in the first half, but they soon fell into disarray and were punished midway through the half.
PSG struggled to find their rhythm but Mbappe beat two defenders in the box and sent his cross into the path of Messi,
PSG struggled to find their rhythm but Mbappe beat two defenders in the box and sent his cross into the path of Messi,
who fired in from close range to make it 1-1 eight minutes before the break.
who fired in from close range to make it 1-1 eight minutes before the break.
Argentina's Messi has scored a goal in 39 different matches in the Champions League. PSG were still passing after the break, allowing Haifa to create opportunities for Frantzdy Pierrot and Omer Atzili.
Argentina's Messi has scored a goal in 39 different matches in the Champions League. PSG were still passing after the break, allowing Haifa to create opportunities for Frantzdy Pierrot and Omer Atzili.
Vitinha's work in midfield proved vital for the Ligue 1 champions, however, Messi continued on the hour mark when the little Portuguese set him up.
Vitinha's work in midfield proved vital for the Ligue 1 champions, however, Messi continued on the hour mark when the little Portuguese set him up.
PSG's individual skills eventually made the difference as Mabppe got the better of a through ball from Messi to slot home with a low goal in the 69th minute.
PSG's individual skills eventually made the difference as Mabppe got the better of a through ball from Messi to slot home with a low goal in the 69th minute.
Haifa didn't extend the lead, but Neymar stopped it clinically on the rebound after receiving a superb pass from Marco Verratti two minutes into the match to end Haifa's 11-game goalless streak.
Haifa didn't extend the lead, but Neymar stopped it clinically on the rebound after receiving a superb pass from Marco Verratti two minutes into the match to end Haifa's 11-game goalless streak.