PSG earn thrilling win over Barcelona in five-goal thriller
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ByEurosport
Updated 01/10/2014 at 00:19 GMT
Champions League Group F, Parc des Princes - Paris Saint-Germain 3 (Luiz 10, Verratti 26, Matuidi 54) Barcelona 2 (Messi 11, Neymar 56)
Paris St Germain's David Luiz celebrates after scoring against Barcelona
Image credit: Reuters
David Luiz produced a man-of-the-match performance as Paris Saint-Germain beat Barcelona 3-2 at the Parc des Princes to go top of Group F.
Barcelona coach Luis Enrique had picked Jeremy Mathieu to partner Javier Mascherano at the heart of a defence that had not conceded a goal in their previous seven matches this season.
But without the height and reassuring presence of Gerard Pique, they conceded their first goal in 11 hours and 21 minutes of football as Luiz turned Mascherano in the box to score following a Lucas free-kick.
Barcelona hit back within two minutes, a brilliant one-touch team goal finished off by Lionel Messi as the Argentine netted his 68th goal in the Champions League.
The French champions went 3-1 up through goals from Marco Verratti and Blaise Matuidi, and Neymar's 56th minute strike set up a great final third of the match.
But Barcelona could not break down a PSG defence superbly marshalled by Luiz, as the French champions extended their unbeaten home record in European football to 30 matches.
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Dutch defender Gregory Van der Wiel (R) vies with Barcelona's Brazilian forward Neymar (C) (AFP)
Image credit: AFP
KEY MOMENTS
10' - GOAL! Paris Saint-Germain 1-0 Barcelona. Luiz gets on the end of Lucas' free-kick from the left, turns Mascherano in the box and strikes a low shot past ter Stegen.
12' - GOAL! Paris Saint-Germain 1-1 Barcelona. Instant response as Messi nets for his 68th goal in the Champions League. What a passing move, a one-two with Iniesta and a first-time shot past Sirigu.
13' - CHANCE! Cavani has a chance to make it 2-1, but blazes over the Barca bar. This is some game so far at the Parc des Princes!
25' - CHANCE! Messi has three men around him, but chips a lovely ball into the box that just evades Neymar. The Barca galacticos are really gelling.
27' - GOAL! Paris Saint-Germain 2-1 Barcelona. Verratti heads home the corner at the far post after a mistake by ter Stegen and some pretty hopeless marking by Rakitic.
31' - CHANCE! Rakitic cuts the corner back for Mascherano, whose shot is on target but deflects away from goal. PSG went to sleep there - the Argentine was completely unmarked.
48' - CHANCE! PSG are quick on the break after Matuidi wins the ball but Mascherano does well to get a block in on Cavani.
54' - GOAL! Paris Saint-Germain 3-1 Barcelona. Another brilliant cross from van der Wiel from the right, and Matuidi slams home a half volley at the far post.
55' - GOAL! Paris Saint-Germain 3-2 Barcelona. The crowd is quietened, as Neymar controls and sidefoots Alves' deep cross past Sirigu. Messi rather put the PSG defence off in the build-up with his extravagant leap.
82' - WHAT A BLOCK! Marquinhos at full stretch blocks Alba's back post volley and celebrates as if he had scored a goal!
85' - CHANCE! Munir tries a left-footed effort that clips the outside of the far post.
90' - CHANCE! Sandro pulls a shot wide from close range. The PSG medical officer was still on the field as the Barca sub missed that effort!
TALKING POINT: Are Paris Saint-Germain Champions League contenders? PSG have started the season slowly, with six draws in their previous nine matches, but their win over Barcelona without star men Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Ezequiel Lavezzi and Thiago Silva suggests that there is enough strength in depth in Laurent Blanc's squad for the French champions to go all the way.
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Recording artists Beyonce (L), her husband Jay-Z (C) and former PSG player David Beckham attend the Champions League Group F match between Paris St Germain and Barcelona (Getty)
Image credit: Getty Images
MAN OF THE MATCH
David Luiz (Paris Saint-Germain): The Brazilian's defending was thought a joke when he played in the Premier League for Chelsea, but against one of Europe's top teams, the world's most expensive defender repelled Messi, Neymar et al, and scored a fine goal as well. Sideshow Bob was definitely the main show at the Parc des Princes.
PLAYER RATINGS
Paris Saint-Germain: Sirigu 7, Marquinhos 7, Maxwell 7, Van der Wiel 8, David Luiz 9, Lucas 9, Thiago Motta 7, Matuidi 7, Verratti 7, Pastore 7, Cavani 6. Subs: Cabaye 6, Chantome 6, Bahebeck 6.
Barcelona: Ter Stegen 7, Alves 5, Mascherano 6, Mathieu 6, Alba 6, Busquets 6, Rakitic 5, Iniesta 6, Pedro 5, Messi 7, Neymar 7. Subs: Xavi 6, Sandro 6, Munir 6.
MATCH IN A TWEET
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