Lionel Messi's impressive free-kick in the dying stages helped Paris Saint-Germain defeat Lille in a seven-goal thriller on Sunday afternoon.
Ligue 1
Result: Paris Saint-Germain 4-3 Lille
Date: 19 October 2023
Venue: Parc des Princes
Kylian Mbappe was restored to the attack alongside Neymar and Lionel Messi, while Vitinha and Fabian Ruiz were recalled in the midfield.
Mbappe made his presence felt early on as he opened the scoring on 11 minutes after racing onto a pass from Neymar before skipping past two challengers and firing past Lucas Chevalier.
The lead was doubled seven minutes later when Neymar got his name on the scoresheet by turning home Vitinha's cross, as the home side looked to bounce back from the midweek action.
However, Lille did pull a goal back in the 24th minute through Diakite, who sent a powerful header past Gianluigi Donnarumma from Andre Gomes' cross.
The visitors did look livelier there after and they nearly pulled level just before the break, with Donnarumma producing a fine save to keep out Djalo's header.
The second half got off to a rocky start, as Neymar was stretchered off six minutes after picking up an injury before being replaced by Hugo Ekitike.
Lille were afforded a lifeline just before the hour mark after being awarded a penalty, which Jonathan David converted to bring his side level.
The visitors completed the turnaround with 20 minutes to go, Gomes took possession of Marco Verratti and sent a ball over the top for Jonathan Bamba, who rifled the ball past Donnarumma.
PSG coach Christophe Galtier responded with a triple change as, Carlos Soler, Danilo Pereira and 16-year-old Warren Zaïre-Emery were introduced for the final 15 minutes.
The hosts managed to snatch an equaliser in the final three minutes, with Juan Bernat turning provider to pick out Mbappe, who poked home to complete his brace.
There was enough time for the defending champions to bag a winning goal, with Messi bagging his 11th goal of the campaign with a sensational free-kick.
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