Neymar and Kylian Mbappe inspired Paris Saint-Germain to an emphatic 5-0 win over Galatasaray as the French champions finished their Champions League group stage campaign in style.
Thomas Tuchel made a number of changes to his starting lineup with top spot in Group A already secured, but this was still an exceptional display from PSG with Mauro Icardi opening the scoring after 32 minutes following a through ball by Mbappe.
Neymar then added his name to the scoresheet just moments later, spraying a pass out to Pablo Sarabia who found the far corner of the Galatasaray net with a low finish. It was 3-0 within seconds of the restart after half time, with Mbappe and Neymar linking up inside the box and the former converting.
A fourth was scored through Mbappe when the young Frenchman was released clean through on goal, sweeping a finish past Fernando Muslera, before he was felled in the box and substitute Edinson Cavani rolled a penalty kick into the back of the net, capping the scoring at 5-0 and drawing a line in the sand for the French side in this season’s Champions League.
The summer signing of Icardi from Inter looked to be a signing for the sake of a signing. PSG already had one of the best attacking lines in Europe. There were other areas of the team that needed reinforcement. Since then, though, Icardi has shown that PSG’s attack can reach another level, scoring his 12th goal of the season in this win. The Argentine has formed a strong understanding with Mbappe and Neymar, forcing Edinson Cavani to watch from the bench for the most part.
Some PSG supporters have still to forgive Neymar for what happened in the summer, but in this form the Brazilian is arguably the French champions’ best player and the guy who could still carry them to Champions League glory. Neymar was in the mood from start to finish tonight, scoring one and contributing two assists. His understanding with Icardi and Mbappe has never looked stronger. There was no way to stop him. – Eurosport