Lionel Messi scored the game-winning goal that the entire world had been anticipating. Messi scored his first goal as a Paris Saint-Germain player against Manchester City in a Group A match on a sparkling Champions League night in Paris. Marco Verratti launched a counter-attack in the 74th minute, opening up the right-wing where Messi was unmarked.
The wide of the pitch by City’s midfield allowed Messi to make a daring run into the final third, where he linked with attacker Kylian Mbappe to bury the ball in the top-right corner of the goal.
Sébastien Thill, a Luxembourg midfielder, scored his first goal for Paris Saint-Germain as newcomer Sheriff stunned 13-time winner Real Madrid in the Champions League.
Messi had been underwhelming in his first three games since signing on a two-year contract following his departure from Barcelona, but he reminded everyone of his talent on Tuesday.
His goal elicited ecstatic applause from the Parc des Princes crowd, as well as a rare celebration from Mauricio Pochettino.
PSG defeated Manchester City 2-0 in a rematch of last season’s semifinal, with Messi scoring the game’s only goal.
The surprise of the second round was Moldovan club Sheriff’s victory in Madrid when Greek goalkeeper Giorgos Athanasiadis repeatedly denied the home team and wasted a slew of chances before Thill’s last-minute strike gave the visitors a 2-1 victory.
TRIO OF MESSI, NEYMAR AND KYLIAN
With all eyes on PSG’s star offensive trio of Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Kylian Mbappé, unheralded midfielder Idrissa Gueye scored the game’s first goal in Paris in the eighth minute with a powerful strike inside the top right corner.
Raheem Sterling and Bernardo Silva hitting the crossbar in short succession, the latter from just a few yards away with an empty net, the home club was fortunate to lead at the break.
With a dominant performance to keep City out, Gianluigi Donnarumma bolstered his case for being PSG’s No. 1 goalkeeper.
After playing a one-two with Mbappé, who returned the ball with his heel, Messi settled the score in the 74th minute by dinking the ball over Ederson inside the far corner.
It was the Argentine star’s first goal since joining the club from Barcelona in the summer.
The City has gone 18 games in a row without losing in the Champions League group stage.
MESSI SETTLING IN PSG
This was Messi’s fourth appearance for PSG. Last month, he made his PSG debut as a substitute in Reims’ 2-0 away win. He made his league debut against Lyon at home.
“I’m very happy to have scored,” Messi told Canal+ after the game.
“I hadn’t been able to play recently, and this was only my second game in this stadium. I’m adapting to my new team. The more we forward to play together, the better our relationship will be. We all need to grow together and improve and keep giving our best.
“They were great opponents. It was very important for us to win the match after our [opening] draw against Brugge. I really wanted to get out there. I haven’t played much. I’m still getting used to my teammates, the team, and today was an important moment.”
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