Les Parisiens shine and capitalise in Clermont!

A week after the excellent victory over Lorient (5-1) where Messi - Neymar Jr - Mbappé shone at the Parc des Princes, Mauricio Pochettino continued with his attacking trio for this trip to Auvergne. A battle which saw the league leaders take on Clermont, who were promoted last season and are in the midst of a relegation battle.

It didn't take long for the visitors to create their first chances of the encounter... And it was Neymar Jr who got the game started! Beautifully played in by Leo Messi, the Brazilian struck powerfully with his left to find the back of the net and give his side the lead (0-1, 6').

It was then the Brazilian's turn to kick-start a move which allowed Leo Messi to find Kylian Mbappé with a delightful piece of skill. The Frenchman then deftly chipped the ball over the onrushing goalkeeper (0-2, 19'). The trio was on fire! 

The supporters present in the Stade Gabriel Montpied played their part in encouraging their side and Les Auvergnats tried their best to get back into the game, and even managed to reduce the visitors' lead through Dossou (1-2, 42'). But before the break, our Parisians wanted to continue to entertain and put on a real show, with some impressive team moves.

Following the break, the atmosphere remained electric and the intensity of the match stepped up a notch, with nervy chances at both ends of the pitch, but the Mbappé-Neymar-Messi trio weren't done yet... The home side gave their all as they looked to hold on, but the pressure was just too much. A devastating cut-back from Kylian saw him brought down in the box to win a penalty for his side. Neymar Jr stepped up and dispatched from 12 yards (1-3, 71').

Having scored another, the n°10 pulled back on his assist hat once more, with an inch-perfect ball in behind the home side's defence. The mesmerising world champion rounded the keeper and turned the ball home (1-4, 74').  Another blow for Clermont before they were further punished by the Frenchman, who buried a beautiful curled effort after another assist from Leo Messi (1-5, 80'). Stratospheric, our n°7 then selflessly played in for Neymar Jr to allow the Brazilian to tap home his third goal of the match! (1-6, 82').

A hat-trick for Mbappé, a hat-trick for Neymar Jr, a hat-trick of assists for Messi… The show was an incredible one and it was time for the curtains to close. The score would remain at 1-6, with Mauricio Pochettino's side solidifying their spot at the top of Ligue 1. A successful last away trip before they return to the Parc des Princes for a battle at the top of the league, with the visit of their rivals from Marseille.