FIFA World Cup 2022 Qatar: PSG stars Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé and Neymar will fly to Qatar on the back of a 5-0 win over Auxerre on Sunday (13 November). Coach Christophe Gaultier opted to start his side’s final outing ahead of the World Cup with his magic trio of Mbappe, Neymar Jr and Messi enjoying the sunshine at the Parc des Princes, where the club’s return from the capital Supporters came. Out in their numbers for the lunch time kick-off.
Life was not going to be easy for the Paris team, with the newly-innovated Auxerre playing an ultra-defensive system built around the PSG trio. But with a lot of creativity and intense pressure, PSG quickly managed to make a difference.
An incredible piece of Link-up saw Mbappe was played by Nuno MendesAnd the Frenchman scored his 19th goal of the season with his first effort of the afternoon in the 11th minute.
With a determination to keep things tight throughout the field, PSG were able to alternate between long periods of possession and lightning changes of pace. Despite this, the score remained 1-1 at the break before PSG really came into their own as they headed back to the dressing room. After another move down the left, it was Carlos Soler who volleyed the ball home in the 50th minute with a smart header across the goal.
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“I would only say that he is the best player in the history of Barcelona”. pic.twitter.com/4oREwnfdKN
– Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) 13 November 2022
On a roll, the Spaniard turned provider after only 10 minutes when he set Achraf Hakimi in the way on a counter-attack. The Moroccan ran like the wind and beat Benoît Costil well in the 57th minute. The fourth goal could have come sooner with a gem from Neymar Jr. His attempt was cleared by the post before Messi could find it.
Coach Christophe Gaultier’s changes also made a difference, with both Ekitike and Renato Sánchez coming on, the former finding the latter for the fourth goal in the 81st minute. The cherry on the cake was when Ekitike opened his account for the club after pressing up the pitch, before finishing in the back of the net to make it 5–0 in the 84th minute. PSG thus finished at the top of the table before the break, as they went on to score 41 points from 15 games. (With IANS inputs)