PSG 3-2 RB Leipzig: Player ratings as Messi inspires second-half comeback
A second-half Lionel Messi brace helped Paris Saint-Germain come back from 2-1 down to secure a 3-2 victory over a spirited RB Leipzig side on Tuesday night.
The victory moved PSG back to the top of Champions League Group A after three games, with Mauricio Pochettino's charges one point clear of Man City in second.
The home side survived an early scare when Christopher Nkunku burst through on goal and laid-off Konrad Laimer, only for the goal-shy midfielder to fluff his finish.
Inside 10 minutes Leipzig were made to pay for their wastefulness when PSG cut them open with a free-flowing counter attack which was eventually finished by Kylian Mbappe.
As the first half progressed Leipzig grew into the game with Andre Silva hitting the woodwork with a half-volley just before the half-hour mark. Minutes later Silva did score, arriving at the back post to slide home Angelino's cross.
After the break Leipzig took the lead with Angelino again providing the assist, this time crossing for Nordi Mukiele to score.
With 66 minutes on the clock PSG - who started the second period horrendously - found an equaliser with Mbappe and Messi combining to level up the scores. The Frenchman pulled it back perfectly and after having his first effort saved, La Pulga tapped in the rebound.
Soon after, Mbappe was brought down in the box by Mohamed Simakan and Messi netted again with a delicious Panenka spot kick than made Gulacsi look very silly indeed.
After this Leipzig threw on attacking reinforcements in an attempt to salvage something, but PSG held on to secure three points. In the dying embers Mbappe spurned an opportunity to make it 4-2, blazing his own penalty over after Messi has ceded a chance to seal his hat trick.
Here are your player ratings for both sides...
PSG player ratings
1. Goalkeeper & defender
Keylor Navas (GK) - 6/10 - Made an important stop early on. Little he could do with the goals.
Achraf Hakimi (RB) - 3/10 - Massively disappointing. Defending was abject and although he spent a lot of time in the opposition half he was not influential.
Marquinhos (CB) - 4/10 - Dispossessed easily in the build-up to Leipzig's first-half equaliser.
Presnel Kimpembe (CB) - 4/10 - Shaky. Poor for the first Leipzig goal - one of several sloppy moments.
Nuno Mendes (LB) - 4/10 - Pushed forward at will, often leaving his side vulnerable to counters.
2. Midfielders
Ander Herrera (CM) - 5/10 - Bizarrely pulled out of a clearance just before Silva scored at the back post. Far too safe in possession at times but did carve out a few chances.
Marco Verratti (CM) - 7/10 - Some neat stuff but needed to get the ball forward quicker in the first half. After the break he improved massively, providing the impetus for the turnaround.
Idrissa Gueye (CM) - 3/10 - Poor. Gave the ball away cheaply multiple times and was lucky not to be punished. Wild tackling too.
3. Forwards
Lionel Messi (RW) - 7/10 - Largely he was a peripheral figure but he burst into life when it mattered, combining beautifully with Mbappe to equalise before chipping home form 12 yards. Pretty weird he didn't take the other spot kick, to be honest.
Julian Draxler (ST) - 6/10 - Some neat touches but was largely predictable. Involved in the build-up to both goals.
Kylian Mbappe (LW) - 7/10 - His side's best player. Took his goal expertly and then laid on Messi for another. Also won the penalty. Loses a mark for one of the worst spot kicks of all time at the end.
4. Substitutes
Danilo Pereira - 6/10 - Did okay.
Georginio Wijnaldum - 6/10 - Helped add more balance to his side. Utterly bizarre that he does not start.
Thilo Kehrer - N/A
RB Leipzig player ratings
5. Goalkeeper & defenders
Peter Gulacsi (GK) - 4/10 - Conceded three, including one Panenka. So, yeah, not an ideal night.
Mohamed Simakan (CB) - 4/10 - Leipzig's worst defender. Never looked comfortable and it was no surprise when he hauled down Mbappe in the box.
Willi Orban (CB) - 6/10 - Pretty colossal. Made several big blocks and read the game well. Certainly not his fault his side conceded three.
Lukas Klostermann (CB) - 5/10 - His lack of pace was occasionally exposed. Taken off following a second-half injury.
6. Wing-backs & midfielders
Nordi Mukiele (RWB) - 8/10 - Finished excellently. His defending was exemplary all night. Really impressive stuff.
Konrad Laimer (CM) - 5/10 - Broke things up effectively at times but was also frequently bypassed by dribbles.
Tyler Adams (CM) - 6/10 - Full of energy and spread the play with some nice long passes.
Amadou Haidara (CM) - 6/10 - Played his part in Leipzig's tireless midfield display before being subbed on the hour.
Angelino (LWB) - 8/10 - Superb. Both of his assists were terrific and he kept Hakimi quiet with some waspish pressing.
7. Forwards
Christopher Nkunku (ST) - 7/10 - Always bright and caused his former side a lot of problems.
Andre Silva (ST) - 7/10 - Worked his nuts off and scored. Faded badly in the second half.
8. Substitutes
Ilaix Moriba - 5/10
Josko Gvardiol - 6/10
Emil Forsberg - N/A
Benjamin Henrichs - N/A
Yussuf Poulsen - N/A