Messi sealed the hosts’ victory with a well-placed shot in the 74th minute after assisting Kylian Mbappe and was not only embraced by Neymar for his first goal in a shirt other than that of FC Barcelona. For the Argentine it was the seventh goal against Manchester City in the Champions League. The Frenchman Idrissa Gueye initiated the success in the eighth minute.
Messi got fit in time for the “anticipated final”, was back in the starting line-up after a two-game break in the league and formed the dream storm with Neymar and Kylian Mbappe. The first goal in the game was scored by someone else, Gueye. The 32-year-old Senegal midfielder completed from seven meters after Neymar failed to process a Mbappe cross.
Gate housing prevents compensation
The French also had more of the game afterwards, before the English found their way into the game after almost half an hour. The compensation should also have fallen. Raheem Sterling hit the crossbar with his head, and Bernardo Silva slammed the leather against the aluminum case from a very short distance (26th). Gianluigi Donnarumma was able to excel in a shot by Joao Cancelo (31st). The hosts shifted more and more to counterattack, but remained extremely dangerous. Ander Herrera failed to Ederson, and Marquinhos slipped past a Mbappe cross pass (38th each).
Even after the break, the characteristics of the game remained similar. However, PSG were very good on the defensive and therefore did not allow the Englishmen to have top chances. On the other hand, it was up to Messi to close the sack. The 34-year-old Argentinean moved towards goal and, after playing with Mbappe’s heel, finished off the penalty spot into the Kreuzeck. It was his first goal in the dress of his new club. City conceded another defeat after 18 unbeaten group games.
Leipzig loses again
For the Leipzig, however, it set the second defeat. The team of former Salzburg coach Jesse Marsch had to admit defeat Club Bruges 1: 2 (1: 2) at home. Christopher Nkunku (5th) with his fourth goal of the season in the premier class had put the hosts in the lead. But Hans Vanaken (22nd) and Mats Rits (41st) turned the game in favor of the Belgian champions before the break.
Due to the renewed defeat, the Germans, for whom Konrad Laimer was substituted at the break, are last in Group A and are already three points behind Manchester in third place. For Marsch, however, it was a damper again after the recent clear 6-0 victory in the championship over Hertha BSC. In nine competitive games under the American there were only three wins and five defeats for the Leipzig.
Last minute win for Atletico
Atletico Madrid, on the other hand, could look forward to their first victory – but only thanks to a hotly discussed hands penalty in stoppage time. Luis Suarez scored a 2-1 win at AC Milan in the 97th minute, crowning a late but successful comeback. Because Rafael Leao had put Milan in the lead in the 20th minute in San Siro. But Franck Kessie flew off the field in the 29th minute with a yellow-red and put Milan in a mess. In the 84th minute, Antoine Griezman finally managed to equalize for the guests late, and in stoppage time Uruguay’s team striker knocked out the “Rossoneri”.
League leaders in Group B, however, are Liverpool FC. The “Reds” celebrated a 5-1 victory at FC Porto after the 3-2 in their first game over AC Milan on the second day of the game and thus have a flawless record of two wins. Mohammed Salah (18th, 60th) and Roberto Firmino (77th, 81st) each with a double pack as well as ex-Salzburg Sadio Mane ensured clear conditions in favor of the English at the Estadio do Dragao in Porto. From the Portuguese perspective, Mehdi Taremi only succeeded in cosmetic results (74th).
Sovereign second Ajax victory
In Amsterdam, Ajax did not miss anything against Besiktas and also celebrated their second victory after the 5-1 in the first game against Sporting Lisbon. Steven Berghuis gave the Dutch record champions the lead in the 17th minute. Shortly before the break, Ajax made it 2-0 (43rd). Officially, Sebastien Haller was listed as a goal scorer, but on the TV pictures it looked as if the ball in a duel went from Serdar Saatci’s knee into his own goal.
Due to the decision of the officials, as in Lisbon, Berghuis and Haller were responsible for all goals of the Dutch. Haller had entered the statistics four times against Sporting. For the Turks, however, it was the next defeat in the group stage after the 1: 2 against Borussia Dortmund.
In addition to Ajax, Dortmund also made a big step towards the knockout round. The Germans celebrated a narrow 1-0 win at home against Sporting and, like the Dutch, have six points after two games. Donyell Malen scored the decisive goal for the hosts in the 37th minute at home in Signal-Iduna-Park.
