Lionel Messi scored two goals, including an impressive overhead-kick, as Paris Saint-Germain began their Ligue 1 season with a 5-0 thrashing of Clermont on Saturday night.
Ligue 1
Result: Clermont 0-5 Paris Saint-Germain
Date: 06 August 2022
Venue: Stade Gabriel Montpied
Pablo Sarabia continued in the attack as Kylian Mbappe missed out through injury, while Marco Verratti made his 380th appearance for the club and moved joint second in the all-time appearance list.
The reigning champions picked up from where they left off in the Super Cup last week, as Neymar opened the scoring in the ninth minute after being teed up by Messi.
PSG continued to dominate and bagged a second goal in the 26th minute as Neymar turned provider to pick out Achraf Hakimi with a neat pass, before the Moroccan rifled the ball into the roof of the net.
While Clermont struggled to test the PSG defence and goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, the visitors went on to extend their lead in the 38th minute when Neymar picked up his second assist when his free-kick found Marquinhos, who nodded home the third goal.
After a disappointing first half, the home side carved out their first chance 10 minutes into the second stanza as Komnen Andric sent a powerful strike inches wide of the upright from 20 yards out.
PSG manager Christophe Galtier opted for a double change soon after that as Sergio Ramos and Vitinha were replaced by Nordi Mukiele and Leandro Paredes.
Messi got his name on the scoresheet for a second week in a row to make it 4-0 on the night after finishing off from close range, with Neymar registering a third assist to go along with his goal.
The Argentine was not done there, as he completed his brace in the 86th minute with an impressive overhead kick to wrap up an impressive victory for the champions.
Here are the 11 players PSG are reportedly trying to get rid of in this transfer window:
