Clermont Foot -5 Paris Saint-Germain: Messi hits late brace in rout as champions kick off Ligue 1 campaign in fashion

Paris Saint-Germain got their title defence off to the perfect get started as they thrashed Clermont Foot 5- at Stade Gabriel-Monpied in the opening Ligue 1 matchday.

Les Parisiens – refreshing off the back again of their convincing 4- Trophée des Champions victory in excess of very last season’s Coupe de France winners Nantes last weekend – took no prisoners against a facet they scored ten targets versus in two outings past year, as they uncovered an early direct in the 9th moment.

Pablo Sarabia’s minimal cross from deep towards the edge of the location was deftly flicked on by Leo Messi back to the route of Neymar driving him, and the Brazilian identified the bottom corner with a wonderful very first-time strike to put his side forward.

PSG doubled their edge just ahead of the 50 percent hour mark, as Achraf Hakimi rounded off a scientific counter attack with a powerful complete into the roof of the web from inside of the space.

Soon after owning a immediate involvement in the first two ambitions, Neymar registered his next aid of the night time as PSG scored their 3rd in the 38th minute.

The forward whipped in a totally free-kick into the space with tempo from the left-hand aspect, which Marquinhos satisfied with a thumping header previous Clermont goalkeeper Mory Diaw to put the final result nicely and actually beyond Les Lanciers.

Leo Messi additional two far more objectives late on for the website visitors – with the latter a superb overhead kick – to perfectly and actually entire the rout.

The victory requires Christophe Galtier’s side to the leading of the Ligue 1 table. PSG are in motion all over again subsequent Saturday, as they just take on Montpellier at the Parc des Princes.

Talking Point – PSG get the position performed but tougher assessments await

As they often say in football, you have got to beat what is in entrance of you. And this was the case for PSG tonight, as they came up towards a Clermont Foot facet that will most most likely be fighting it out in the reduced reaches of Ligue 1 this period following narrowly keeping away from relegation in the past campaign.

At situations tonight, Christophe Galtier’s aspect have been toying with Les Lanciers. In spite of Kylian Mbappe currently being missing thanks to injury, Neymar and Leo Messi stepped up to the plate in the attacking 3rd of the pitch, with both players together associated in all five Paris ambitions, with Messi’s outrageous overhead kick in the 86th minute being the choose of the bunch.

Obtaining their domestic marketing campaign off to a great commence will give the side a major improve of self-assurance in advance of harder checks. Paris arrive up towards both equally Lille and Monaco right before the stop of the month, so maintaining a fantastic operate of benefits is critical at this phase of the year.

Player OF THE MATCH – Neymar

What extra can you say about this person? At situations tonight, he was outright audacious in the trickery he attempted. Extra importantly nevertheless, the Brazilian was concerned in 4 of the five PSG targets (one purpose, 3 helps).

In addition to his direct purpose involvements, Neymar registered six crucial passes, and created two productive dribbles. A finish functionality by the 30-year-previous.

Player Ratings

Clermont Foot: Diaw 7, Seidu 7, Wieteska 5, Ogier 5, Borges 6, Gonalons 5, Gastien 6, Allevinah 6, Saracebic 6, Rashani 6, Andric 6. Subs: Baiye 6, Khaoui 6, Magnin 6, Dossou 6.

Paris Saint-Germain: Donnarumma 7, Hakimi 7, Marquinhos 7, Ramos 7, Kimpembe 6, Mendes 6, Verratti 7, Vitinha 6, Sarabia 6, Neymar 10, Messi 10. Subs: Mukiele 6, Zaire-Emery 6, Bernat 6, Ekitike 6, Mukiele 6, Paredes 7.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

8’ – Purpose! (Neymar) – Neymar gives PSG the direct of this match! Sarabia arrows in a very low cross from the remaining, which Messi superbly flicks driving him for Neymar to strike first time from within the box, and it goes into the bottom-left corner! Clermont’s process just acquired a large amount more durable.

26’ – Target! (Achraf Hakimi) – A clinical counter results in Hakimi firing a shot into the roof of the web from inside of the box! PSG split with Neymar, Messi and Hakimi concerned, and Neymar releases the Morocco global beautifully with a amazing through ball. The ideal-back again does the rest and Clermont now have a mountain to climb.

29’ – Outstanding Help save! – Diaw makes a excellent stop to deny Sergio Ramos! Messi provides in the corner from the still left toward the close to write-up, which sees Ramos time his run to perfection to fulfill the ball with a impressive header, but Diaw will get down reduced to tip the ball out for a corner. Great conserve!

38’ – Intention! (Marquinhos) – There it is – PSG make the most of this absolutely free-kick plan! Neymar whips a supply into the box with genuine speed, and Marquinhos occasions his operate really very well to get rid of his marker and plant a header correct into the middle of the web past Diaw. Great intention.

80′ – Objective! (Leo Messi) – It can be Messi! The Argentine is now on the scoresheet! PSG break ahead with rate, as Messi sales opportunities the cost, in advance of taking part in the ball to his still left for Neymar. The Brazilian then plays the ball again to his workforce-mate inside the box, and Messi finishes well over and above Diaw. Third support of the night time for Neymar!

86’ – Purpose! (Leo Messi) – What a objective! Messi controls the ball with his chest in the place from a chipped move by Neymar, prior to hitting an overhead kick into the again of the internet! Unreal system!

Key STATS

• Neymar was included in 4 of the 5 goals for PSG this evening, regstering 3 helps in addition to his aim.
• Tonight’s result suggests that in the previous 3 league conferences versus Clermont Foot, PSG have scored a whole of fifteen plans.
• PSG have recorded their most important gain for a Ligue 1 opening match (5-).