Lionel Messi is the most exceptional talent in the world after the Argentine showed up on numerous occasions as Lille became the latest victim of his genius instinct during PSG’s Ligue 1 clash.
It was one of the fiercest matches of the season for the French champions after losing three straight games and the match went on to the last kick of the game to decide its fate.
PSG’s last 4 games:
❌ 2-1 vs. Marseille
❌ 3-1 vs. Monaco
❌ 1-0 vs. Bayern
✅ 4-3 vs. LilleWhat a game. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/pULqn6xj1Z
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) February 19, 2023
PSG started the game brilliantly after scoring two successive goals by Kylian Mbappe and Neymar but later surrendered the position to the visitors as Diakite pulled one back for Lille before the first half.
PSG was stunted after the se3cond half started to take shape with Jonathan David and Bamba scoring for Lille and turning the game to their stride with only a quarter of an hour remaining.
However, after capitulating to the lead, PSG hadn’t fazed themselves as Kylian Mbappe equalized in the 87th minute and the Parc des Princes crowds went electric.
PSG 4-3 Lille FT:
xG: 2.34-2.54
Shots: 12-16
Shots on target: 10-7
Touches in opp. box: 31-22
Possession: 47%-53%Mbappé rescues the home side with an 87th minute equaliser, before Messi's free-kick won it in stoppage time.
Lille had come back from 2-0 down. 🤯 pic.twitter.com/dkYPwskqTO
— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) February 19, 2023
The game was never finished for PSG until it the final whistle was blown as the Parisians went toe to toe when pressing and later Lionel Messi earned a free kick just outside of the box.
‘Cometh the hour, cometh the man’ as Messi showed his class and reminded everyone about the aristocracy he possessed after scoring from a beautifully crafted free kick which was the last significant kick of the game.
Otro ángulo del gol de Messi frente al Lille con el que el PSG se lleva los 3 puntos. 🤩
¡Magia! ✨
( 📽️ vía @DidierDmnt /IG) pic.twitter.com/BTJX6I2Dp8
— ESPN Deportes (@ESPNDeportes) February 20, 2023
With this goal, Messi is closing the gap with his arch-rival Cristiano Ronaldo as it was the Argentine’s goal no. 699 in club career, and he is just one short of the magnificent 700 goals club.
However, PSG suffered an immense loss during their hard-fought win over Lille as Neymar was stretched off injured following his ankle was twisted and now a major doubt to face Bayern Munich for the return leg of the UCL round of sixteen.
Neymar is stretchered off with an ankle injury during PSG vs. Lille.
PSG’s Champions League knockout second leg vs. Bayern is on March 8th… 🤕 pic.twitter.com/EbpePZ1Ul6— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 19, 2023
PSG will be hoping that Neymar’s best pal Lionel Messi will produce the magic in absence of the Brazilian as it will be season-defining for Christophe Galtier’s team in terms of the metric of success.
