Lionel Messi produced his latest breathtaking performance for PSG at Parc des Princes as the Parisian side thrashed Maccabi Haifa 7-2 in Champions League on Tuesday to assure itself a spot in the knockout stage.
The Argentine scored two and assisted another two, hit the crossbar in a breathtaking display. Mbappe also had a brace while Neymar got one as Maccabi Haifa saw in an embarrassing result in Paris.
Lionel Mess opened the scoring in the 19th minute with a left footed shot from the center of the box. Kylian Mbappé soon doubled PSG’s advantage with right-foot curler from the left side of the box to the top right corner.
Neymard added another for the Parisian side after Messi set him up with a brilliant through ball. Messi is the only player to score 10+ goals and deliver 10+ assists in all competitions among players in the top 5 European leagues this season.
Messi got his second just before the half-time with a typical Leo Messi goal after the little Argentinian dribbled away from the two Haifa central defenders on the edge of the box to open up space for a shot. He rifles his low shot towards the near bottom corner and squeezes it past Cohen for his second of the game.
Abdoulaye Seck bagged a brace for Maccabi Haifa but the game was already decided by then.
PSG’s place in the knockout round is confirmed, but the fight for the top spot goes into the final matchday as Benfica also won their group game today. PSG face Juventus next week. Haifa can’t reach the round of 16 after that defeat, but as Juve also lost, they could still gain a Europa League place if they get a result against Benfica next Wednesday.
Line-up:
PSG XI (4-3-1-2): Donnarumma (GK); Bernat, Marquinhos, Ramos, Hakimi; Vitinha, Ruiz, Sanches; Messi; Mbappe, Neymar
Maccabi Haifa XI (4-3-3): Cohen (GK); Seck, Batubinsika, Goldberg, Cornud; Mohamed, Lavi, Abu Fani; Chery, Pierrot, Atzili
