Messi helps PSG win 90+5 minutes

Messi played not too prominently but appeared at the right time when PSG needed a goal. Minute 90+5, the Argentine striker went to the edge of the penalty area and was fouled. Messi took charge of the free kick when tens of thousands of PSG spectators, including his wife Antonella, clasped their hands in prayer. The kick whirled over the fence and then hit the post into the net, setting a dramatic 4-3 victory for PSG.

Eight minutes before Messi shines, PSG are still 2-3 lead. In the 87th minute, Kylian Mbappe coordinated one or two with Juan Bernat before sinking into the corner to equalize 3-3 for the host. Mbappe's goal relieved some of the pressure for PSG, when they lost 2-3 despite taking a two-goal lead in the first half of the first half.

Mbappe was the one who opened the scoring in the 11th minute. The French striker escaped to the left corner, slipped past two Lille defenders and then finished close to the goal to beat goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier. In front of Mbappe's table, both teams had dangerous shots. Lille missed the chance to open the scoring in the first minute of the game when Timothy Weah's save was blocked by Donnarumma. Lionel Messi then also failed to score despite facing Chevalier from a tight angle.

Playing at home and being more appreciated, but PSG continued to reveal many defensive holes. They often let the visitors' speed strikers sneak down. A minute before Mbappe scored, Donnarumma corrected teammate Kimpembe when he saved a kick in the face of Remy Cabella. Striker Lille had the ball after Kimpembe's header returned it to Donnarumma but the ball lacked power.

PSG's joy doubled in the 17th minute when Neymar scored his 13th goal in Ligue 1 this season. The Brazilian striker initiated the counter-attack, then coordinated with Vitinha before the ball hit an empty goal. This is Neymar's second goal in Ligue 1 since the beginning of 2023.

Leading two goals, but PSG could not control the game. Four minutes after Neymar celebrated the goal, Donnarumma saved again for the home team with a flying punch after a tight header from close range from Jonathan David. The Italian goalkeeper played well in this match, but it was not enough to make up for the mistakes of the PSG defenders. 24 minutes, Donnarumma flew in vain when Bafode Diakite shook his head to the far corner to withdraw the distance for Lille.

PSG started the second half difficult when Neymar soon left the field due to injury. The 31-year-old striker broke his ankle and had to leave the field on a stretcher. Neymar's tears suggest this could be a serious injury. Without Neymar, the PSG attack plays sporadically because Messi and Mbappe rarely find each other. The duo also lacked support from the midfield, where Marco Verratti and Fabian Ruiz lost their creativity.

The three-man midfield also makes PSG fragile in defence. It was Verratti who pulled the opponent's shirt, causing the home team to take a penalty in the 58th minute. Nearly 10 minutes later, Lille scored more by taking advantage of Verratti's loss of the ball in the middle of the field. Receiving a long pass from his teammates, David kicked the ball to the top corner to beat Donnarumma.

PSG's victory bears the personal imprint of superstars, notably Mbappe and Messi. But their collective play continues to reveal many problems. This is the reason why the owner of Parc des Princes has only won one of the last four matches.

PSG: Donnarumma, Pembele, Sergio Ramos, Kimpembe, Mendes, Vitinha, Verratti, Fabian Ruiz, Messi, Neymar, Mbappe

Lille: Chevalier, Diakite, Fonte, Djalo, Weah, Andre Gomes, Andre, Cabella, Angel Gomes, Bamba, David