Neymar's hat tricked as PSG beat Montpellier | OneFootball

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·13 August 2022

Neymar's hat tricked as PSG beat Montpellier

Article image:Neymar's hat tricked as PSG beat Montpellier

Neymar Jr was denied a sensational hat-trick by VAR - while a fit-again Kylian Mbappé and debutant Renato Sanches got their first goals of the season - as Paris Saint-Germain beat Montpellier 5-2 in their Round 2 clash at the Parc des Princes on Saturday.

Paris Saint-Germain 5-2 Montpellier HSC

THE MATCH Montpellier were assured and solid in the early stages, with 'keeper Jonas Omlin sensationally saving a Kylian Mbappé penalty after Jordan Ferri handled in the area (22') before successively denying Lionel Messi a free-kick and a shot from range within minutes. Unfortunately for Montpellier, the dam broke shortly before half-time, with Falaye Sacko turning home a low drive that Mbappé had fired across the face of goal (39') just minutes before handling in the area and seeing Neymar slot coolly home with a trademark spot-kick (43'). So close!


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The Brazilian struck again early in the second, beating Omlin to a deflected cross and nodding home from close range (51') and he would have had a hat-trick had VAR not ruled out a superb strike - on the end of a brilliant Messi assist - for Presnel Kimpembe's off-side in the preceding movement (86'). Before this, however, the score had gone to 3-1 - when Wahbi Khazri pounced on Gianluigi Donnarumma's parry of an initial effort from the lively Elye Wahi (58') - and then 4-1 as Mbappé, despite seeming somewhat out of sorts in his first appearance of the season, poached a clever goal that beat Omlin at his near post (69'). Although there was more scoring - a slightly fortunate goal on debut for Portugal midfielder Renato Sanches (87') and a brilliant near-post smash from Enzo Tchato on the end of a through-pass from Khalil Fayad (91') - the result was beyond doubt and the reigning Ligue 1 Uber Eats champions made it two from two - three from three counting the Trophée des Champions win over Nantes - in the Galtier era.

THE PLAYER: Neymar Jr Rewarded with goals on either side of the half-time break, the Brazil superstar showed the kind of drive that makes him a truly dangerous prospect. His second goal was, unusually enough, a header - but one poached from under the 'keeper's nose in expertly athletic fashion. A stunning performance that was denied the finishing gloss of a hat-trick but which - after taking his league stats to three goals and three assists - augurs well for Neymar, PSG and Brazil in the very busy 2022-23 season. THE STAT: 10 PSG have scored ten goals in the opening two matches of the season under new coach Christophe Galtier - five more than second-placed LOSC - and are looking ominous at the top of the general and attacking tables with a goal difference of +8. >> Kylian Mbappé targets Ballon d'Or win >> Kylian Mbappé: Another record season?

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