Football gets back on track: Brilliant Paris reach the last 16!

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After the game was initially postponed, Paris Saint-Germain defeated Istanbul Basaksehir this Wednesday night in the sixth and final matchday of the Champions League group stage. Here’s a look back at a game that was played in unique circumstances.

After two important victories against Leipzig and Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain welcomed the Turkish club to the Parc des Princes to finish off the Champions League group stage. The game was initially played this Tuesday but got stopped in the 13th minute after a racist incident involving the fourth official. After being postponed to this Wednesday the game restarted in unique circumstances with an impetus put on respect and solidarity. The club and its supporters decided to show their support for the fight against racism.

Matchday 6, Episode 2, Game on!

On the football side of things, the game restarted where it had stopped yesterday with the same starting elevens… Meaning that Paris kept the 3-5-2 that Thomas Tuchel had picked on Tuesday.

Things had changed overnight though. The Istanbul-based side didn’t have anything to play for, and for the Parisians' qualification was insured after Leipzig had beaten Manchester United. There was only one thing left for them to play for: make sure that they turned the style on for the final 77 minutes. The win puts them top of group H.

And the Rouge et Bleu didn’t disappoint. Up against a tough Turkish outfit, Thomas Tuchel’s men turned up with the same intensity and application as Tuesday. And it was Neymar Jr who got the breakthrough after a stunning piece of play: touch, nutmeg and then a strike into the top corner (1-0, 20’). Magical!

The Parisians settled into the game and were playing some liquid football.  It all came to fruition as the Neymar Jr-Mbappé duo struck. The Brazilian latched onto the Frenchman’s through ball to score his second! (2-0, 38’). Straight after that, the Brazilian number ten earned a penalty that he let Mbappé take and duly tuck away (3-0, 42’).

The second half was more of the same as the Parisians were going through the gears the finish the group stages in style. Neymar Jr was unstoppable and orchestrated a beautiful team move before smashing home from outside the area (4-0, 50’).

Istanbul’s consolation goal didn’t take away from the Rouge et Bleu’s performance (4-1, 57’). And Mbappé made sure of the result and the Parisians’ fifth of the game after a brilliant team move (5-1, 62’).

Paris Saint-Germain finish first in the group thanks to their talent and mental strength and make it through to the Round of 16 of the Champions League by respecting both the spirit of the game and their opponents.