Paris Saint-Germain did themselves a good service in the Champions League on Tuesday evening. Mauricio Pochettino’s team turned a 1-2 deficit against RB Leipzig in its own Parc des Princes: 3-2. Lionel Messi crowned himself invaluable with two goals, including an unparalleled panenka. Kylian Mbappe failed in injury time from eleven meters. With the win, PSG regains the lead in Group A. Georginio Wijnaldum started on the bench with the Parisians, but came in after an hour of play.
There were chances for both teams in a very lively opening phase. After five minutes of play, the visitors fired on Keylor Navas’ goal for the first time. Navas was once again preferred over Gianluigi Donnarumma and seems to be going all out in the Champions League this season. After seven minutes of play, PSG emerged dangerously in front of Leipzig’s goal, but Julian Draxler, who replaced the absent Neymar, was imprecise in finishing. The German’s volley went just over. On the other hand, Navas made a good save on a header from André Silva.
With the second good opportunity from PSG it was hit. Kylian Mbappé was sent into the depths, cut against Willi Orbán on his right leg and found the short corner: 1-0. Leipzig, however, hardly seemed upset by that blow and soon straightened its back. After André Silva first hit the post, he scored after half an hour of play. The cross was to Angeliño’s measure from the left side of the field, after which it was a breeze for the striker to slide the equalizer against the ropes. Leipzig even had the opportunity to go into halftime with a lead, but a shot by Christopher Nkunku went just wide.
Leipzig also defended itself in the second half. The visitors even brutally took the lead ten minutes after the break. Once again Angeliño’s preparatory work was of great beauty, after which Nordi Mukiele was accurate this time. The defender escaped the attention of the PSG defense and suddenly hit the left corner: 1-2. Pochettino then brought in Wijnaldum, among others, in an attempt to force something. That succeeded twenty minutes before the end, when the combination Lionel Messi – Mbappé came out for the first time. On a pass from the French attacker, Messi hit through the inside of the post: 2-2.
Leipzig put all his heart and soul into the game in the last quarter of the game to get a point from the fire, but failed to do so. After a push from Mohamed Simakan in the direction of Mbappe, Messi was allowed to sign for his second of the evening from the spot. The Argentine superstar did not fail and did it with an exquisite panenka. Mbappe had the opportunity to further increase the score in injury time after a foul on Achraf Hakimi, but his penalty went high.