Messi hit the mark twice and Mbappe pitched in with the opener as Paris Saint-Germain came from behind to edge past RB Leipzig in the Champions League.
Mbappe gave PSG the lead at the Parc des Princes but the Leipzig side gave a better display than in their 3-6 defeat to Manchester City earlier in the competition.
Goals from Andre Silva and Nordi Mukiele on either side of the interval put them ahead of PSG. At one point, it seemed that PSG was set to pay the price for another lackluster display.
But Mbappe first, and then Messi, came to the rescue of PSG. Mbappe missed a penalty but PSG managed to hold on to the lead. Mauricio Pochettino’s team is now on top of the heap in Group A, halfway through the league stage. They have a point more than City, who defeated Club Brugge in a one-sided match to win 5-1.
Leipzig was beaten by PSG in the 2020 semi-final and is now at the bottom of the heap without a point.
Neymar remained on the sidelines with a muscle injury. The world’s most expensive player is yet to come good this season. His only goal this season has come from a penalty.
Messi Has Finally Come Good For PSG
Messi has been settling nice and easy into his new role. Mbappe continues to be the mainstay of the PSG attack line.
Julian Draxler joined them in the attack in Paris. Angel di Maria remains suspended, while Mauro Icardi was absent for personal reasons.
Mbappe gave PSG a quick lead with a clinical finish 9 minutes into time. The low shot went past Leipzig keeper Gulacsi for Mbappe’s 6th goal of the season.
Leipzig remained a threat throughout. Silva shook the post with a shot on the turn. And in the 28th minute, the German side was level with Siva scoring from an Angelino cross.
Leipzig went ahead in the 57th minute when Angelino again provided the ball for Mukiele to push it in past Navas.
PSG still lacks the cohesion of a champion side, but their superstars have come to the rescue time and again. Mbappe provided for Messi to score in the 67th minute. Messi finally scored the winner from the spot in the 74th minute with a cheeky finish after Mbappe was fouled by Simakan.
Mbappe blew a chance in stoppage time when he blew over the bar. The spot-kick was awarded after a VAR review.
