Messi inspires PSG to 5-0 win over Clermont

Lionel Messi scored a sensational bicycle-kick purpose as Paris Saint-Germain opened their Ligue 1 identify protection with a 5-zero win over Clermont on the Stade Gabriel Montpide on Saturday.

Messi scored a brace to go with desires from Neymar, Achraf Hakimi and Marquinhos as they clinched the trophy with any other smooth 4-zero win over Nantes ultimate weekend.

It took just nine minutes for them to get in front as Messi brilliantly flicked the ball into the path of Neymar, who finished off a superb move.

 

Hakimi scored on a lightning counter-attack midway through the first half, before Marquinhos headed Neymar's free kick into the net.

 

Neymar then provided a fourth for Messi, before the Argentine forward capped a superb performance with a stunning goal, chesting down a pass from Leandro Paredes and finishing with a bicycle-kick.

 

PSG were without their star forward trio Kylian Mbappe due to injury. New coach Christophe Gaultier handed summer arrivals Vitinha, Hugo Ektic and Nordy Mukile their Ligue 1 debuts for PSG.

 

There was also a debut for Warren Zaire-Emery, who, aged 16 years, four months and 29 days, became the youngest player to play for PSG in a competitive match.

 

"A lot of satisfaction, first and important with the win," Galtier stated afterwards. "It's crucial to win the sport and rating 5 goals, now no longer to overlook any possibilities and to hold a excessive level, even if the gaps have been getting bigger.

"Obviously I liked the way the team expressed themselves in attack. But also when the block required a team effort to win the ball back. There was a lot of effort for one, and put in. The effort we really put a lot on the teammates. Either that or something.

 

"I recognise I even have a totally proficient group with very proficient players, however they want to play as a group and it wishes to be one suit after which all through the season."

Earlier, Monaco won 2-1 at Racing Strasbourg after the home side had a last-gasp equalizer ruled out by VAR.

 

Monaco, gambling withinside the beginning spherical of the Champions League towards PSV Eindhoven on Tuesday, went 2-zero up thru Crepin Diatta and Sofiane Diop earlier than Habib Diallo pulled one lower back withinside the sixty fifth minute.

Diallo thought he had another goal, two minutes into stoppage time, when he headed home but teammate Alexandre Džiku was ruled offside as he assisted and the strike was ruled out for Monaco to win.