Paris record stirring victory!
The Background:
Attack versus attack! Undefeated in their last 20 Champions League group stage matches, Les Rouge et Bleu host Liverpool with the aim of showing off their French Flair. The Reds came into the game with a one-point advantage in the standings but having lost their last two away matches in the group…
The Highlights:
"Play with your hearts" was the message from the stands. Tonight, Paris did just that and more! It was time to stand up and be counted and Les Rouge et Bleu hit the ground running. Mbappé (3', 12'), and then Di Maria (6') forced Alisson Becker into action. Caught cold, last season's finalists were caught breathless on the counterattack. Like in Naples, Juan Bernat followed up another counterattack and followed in to fire home at the near post (1-0, 13')! The Parc was electric, but it was the Reds that were feeling the heat. Salah gave them their first real attack (22'), but he failed to test Buffon in the home side's goal... And then on another blistering counterattack, Mbappé crossed for Cavani, denied by Alisson, Neymar followed up and knocked the ball home (2-0, 37')! In the shadows of half-time, Paris Saint-Germain conceded their 15th penalty in the Champions League since 2012, converted by Milner (2-1, 45+1'). Somehow Liverpool were back in the game, courtesy of what would be their only shot on target in the 90 minutes.
After the break, the Reds turned it up another notch. Firmino headed just wide (60'), before Marquinhos drew a fine save from Alisson with a header from Neymar's corner (70')! Paris Saint-Germain stood firm, despite surrendering possession in the second half and won the battle courtesy of a superb defensive team performance.
A Parisian in the match: Neymar Jr
He was everywhere! A goal, outrageous skill, like that magical rainbow (89'): the Parc des Princes caught Neymar on a great night! By netting his 31st goal in the competition, the Paris No.10 became the most prolific Brazilian goal scorer in Champions League history. With ten goals and four assists in his last 12 UCL matches with Paris Saint-Germain, Neymar Jr was simply on fire!
The word: Rebound
Between 21:00 and 22:55, the established order in Group C was turned on its head! With one more match to play in this epic group, the French champions are now two points ahead of Liverpool and have their fate in their own hands! Paris head to Belgrade in two weeks' time knowing that victory will qualify the team for the last-16…
Coming up:
The final Matchday of the Champions League will take place on 11 December away to Crvena Zvezda. Before then, Ligue 1 takes centre stage, starting this Sunday at 21:00 with a trip to Bordeaux in the final match of the round...