Lionel Messi’s second-half double steered a lacklustre PSG to a scarcely deserved comeback victory over RB Leipzig in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
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Kylian Mbappe’s early goal had put the French side ahead, but they were abject for much of the next hour as the struggling Bundesliga outfit fought back into a well-earned 2-1 lead, before Messi first equalised and then stole all three points with a ‘Panenka’ penalty 15 minutes from time.
PSG had earned a statement victory over Manchester City in their previous group game, but began the night trailing the English side in the table after Pep Guardiola’s men hammered Club Brugge earlier in the evening.
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They quickly went about asserting their dominance again, as Mbappe finished a lightning counter-attack with a low finish driven in at the near-post.
That was as good as it got in the first-half, however, as Leipzig improved markedly and equalised before the interval as Andre Silva, who had already struck the woodwork, finished Angelino’s excellent low cross.
The left-back was the creator again soon after the restart as his superb early delivery was guided perfectly onto the boot of Nordi Mukiele, who cushioned his volley high past Keylor Navas.
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Messi had endured a quiet but came alive when collecting Mbappe’s cut-back and though his initial shot was pushed onto the post he was on hand to apply the finish touch.
The Argentine then stepped up to complete the turnaround after Mbappe had been fouled with a delightful dinked spot-kick.
Messi might have had a hat-trick, had he not allowed Mbappe to take a second penalty deep into stoppage time, only for the Frenchman to blaze high over the bar.
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