Messi double, Mbappe strike stop RB Leipzig in UCL clash

Messi double, Mbappe strike stop RB Leipzig in UCL clash

 

 

Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi found their groove as they inspired their side to a 3-2 comeback victory at home to RB Leipzig in a Champions League thriller on Tuesday.

Mbappe was the first to strike and Messi had France forward to thank for his second-half double after the Ligue 1 side had fallen 2-1 behind following goals by Andre Silva and Nordi Mukiele on either side of the interval.

Mbappe, who missed a stoppage-time penalty, set up Messi for the equaliser and won the spot-kick that the Argentine converted with an ice-cool chip after what had been a lacklustre performance from the club’s new signing.

“It’s normal, it’s about respect,” Mbappe said about allowing Messi to take the first penalty. “He’s the best player in the world. I’ve always said it’s a privilege to play with him.

“There is a penalty, he took it and scored. The second, he wanted to give it to me, and I missed it.”

Mbappe added that Leipzig made it hard for PSG to earn the comeback win.

“(Were we) lucky? No, you make your luck,” he said. “But of course, it was difficult, Leipzig played well. We had some low spells which were perhaps a little bit too low.”

The result left PSG top of Group A with seven points from three games, one point ahead of Manchester City, who demolished Club Brugge 5-1 away earlier on Tuesday. Leipzig have no points.

“They pressed hard and targeted Marco Verratti,” said PSG coach Mauricio Pochettino, who had to deal with the absence of the injured Neymar and suspended Angel Di Maria.

“It was a very tough game but the team showed their character again.”

Leipzig’s American coach Jesse Marsch added: “There’s a massive difference between us and PSG but the fact that we almost made it says a lot. We need to trust this young squad.”