Paris Saint-Germain put six goals past Red Star Belgrade in a brutally one-sided Champions League Group C encounter at the Parc des Princes.
Neymar hit a hat-trick as Thomas Tuchel’s men got their first Champions League points of the season following their opening-matchday defeat against Liverpool.
Red Star were first breached at the 20-minute mark when Neymar was felled by Vujadin Savic just outside the area. The Brazilian dispatched a superb free kick over the wall.
Less than two minutes later, Neymar put his name on the scoresheet again. After playing a neat one-two with Kylian Mbappe, the world’s most expensive player volleyed into the roof of the net from close range. In the 37th minute, Edison Cavani latched onto a loose ball in the area and saw his goal-bound shot cruelly deflect off of Milos Degenek.
Paris Saint-Germain's Brazilian forward Neymar (C) and Paris Saint-Germain's Brazilian defender Thiago Silva (R) congratulates Paris Saint-Germain's French forward Kylian Mbappe after he scored a goal during their UEFA Champions' League football match Par
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A few minutes before the interval, Angel Di Maria scored the fourth with a neat half-volley, made possible by a sublime cross from the outside of Thomas Meunier’s boot.
PSG continued to press forward in the second half, and after a host of squandered opportunities, Kylian Mbappe finally found the net with 20 minutes left to play. The 19-year-old scored his twelfth Champions League goal after tapping in a Juan Bernat pass from close range.
Red Star found the late consolation when substitute Lorenzo Ebicilio set up Marko Marin for a powerful strike into the roof of the net.
Neymar, in resplendent form throughout, completed his hat-trick with another fine free kick. It marked his 30th Champions League goal in the competition and his seventh for PSG.
Paris Saint-Germain's Uruguayan forward Edinson Cavani reacts during their UEFA Champions' League football match Paris Saint Germain (PSG) against Red Star Belgrade at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris on October 3, 2018. (
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TALKING POINT: Can Paris Saint-Germain reach that elusive Champions League semi-final?
Despite their huge ambition and bottomless resources, the Qatari-backed PSG have still never made the final four of the Champions League. With Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Barcelona in less-than optimal form, this year’s competition might be the Parisians’ best chance of going the distance.
Dominance over the Serbian champions may not be indicative of their form in the latter stages, but PSG may never have get a better chance to make a serious impression on the competition.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Neymar
PSG boasted many attacking talents in this game, but Neymar was at his scintillating best. His brace, his audacious moves and frequent unselfish passing were worth the price of entry alone.
Neymar
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PLAYER RATINGS
PSG: Aréola 6, Meunier 8, Thiago Silva 7, Kimpembe 7, Bernat 8, Verratti 8, Rabiot 7, Mbappé 9, Neymar 10, Di María 9, Cavani 9. Subs: Kehrer 7, Choupo-Moting 6, Draxler 6.
Red Star Belgrade: Borjan 8, Stojkovic 5, Degenek 5, Savic 6, Simic 6, Rodic 6, Jovicic 6, Krsticic 5, Causic 6, Marin 7, Ben Nabouhane 5. Subs: Pavkov 6, Ebecilio 7, Babic 6.
KEY MOMENTS
20 - GOAL! Neymar curls the 21m free kick over the wall! The Canadian international 'keeper can do nothing as it hits the net!
22 - GOAL! It's a second in two minutes for Neymar! The Brazilian, in acres of space around 35 yards from goal, picks out Mbappe on the right and the Frenchman plays it back to the talisman in the box. He steers it into the roof of the net with his first touch!
37 - GOAL! Cavani gets the third! After some pinball between the defenders in the box, the Uruguayan pounces on the ball and sees his shot deflect off of Degenek before finding the net!
42 - GOAL! Di Maria gets on the scoresheet! Meunier steers a delightful cross with the outside of his boot towards the Argentine, who volleys home with an equally brilliant touch.
70 - GOAL! Mbappe finally gets on the scoresheet! Neymar ficks a ball over the top of the defence for Juan Bernat, who sidefoots a path to the French teenager. He slots home from close range.
74 - GOAL! Red Star have the consolation! Substitute Ebecilio has an immediate impact by playing a through-ball for Marko Marin, who rifles it into the roof of the net!
81 - GOAL! Neymar has done it again! It's a sensational 25m free kick from the Brazilian! The goalkeeper can't help but smile at how good that was!
Paris Saint-Germain's Brazilian forward Neymar (R) celebrates with team mates after scoring a goal during the UEFA Champions' League football match Paris Saint Germain (PSG) against Red Star Belgrade at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris on October 3,
Image credit: Getty Images
KEY STATS
- PSG have scored in each of their last 18 Champions League games.
- Neymar has now matched Kaka’s tally of 30 Champions League goals, making him the joint-highest Brazilian scorer in the competition’s history.
- No Serbian club has ever won a game in France.
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