Le Classique is one of the most intense rivalries in France, but PSG might be forgiven for having one eye on their looming Champions League match against Bayern Munich in 10 days time.
Yet the Parisians didn’t look like they were caught peeking at the calendar, as Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi put on a show at the Stade Velodrome to down bitter enemies Marseille 3-0. Mbappe earned a brace and Messi added the third, as the two assisted each other’s strikes in a stellar combined performance.
PSG came into the match in poor form and holding a five-point advantage atop the Ligue 1 table over today’s opponents, knowing that any more slips could be debilitating to their domestic title charge. They made sure not to blink, increasing the Ligue 1 lead to eight points by the final whistle.
Marseille actually started the match well, pummeling the PSG back line, but Mbappe’s opener from Messi on the counter put that to bed, and PSG flew to victory from there. Messi’s goal was his first Le Classique strike and 700th club goal of his illustrious career, while Mbappe’s second saw him equal Edinson Cavani’s all-time PSG goal scoring record.
The only negative moment of the match for PSG was the early loss of defender Presnel Kimpembe, who was stretchered off in tears inside the opening 20 minutes with what looked to be a troublesome non-contact injury. Kimpembe was spotted on the PSG sideline in the second half on crutches and it was confirmed post-match that he will now miss the rest of the season. With the club’s defensive ranks already thin, his loss could prove costly moving forward.
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