Lionel Messi scored twice in quick succession, including an exquisite Panenka-style penalty, to rescue Paris Saint-Germain as it rallied to beat Leipzig 3-2 in the Champions League after being dominated for long spells.
Messi equalised in the 67th minute on Tuesday, poking home from close range after goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi tipped his first shot onto the post. He then sent Gulacsi diving to the left before dinking the ball softly down the middle for his third goal since joining PSG from Barcelona.
They have all come in the Champions League, with Kylian Mbappe setting up the first two and winning the penalty for Messi’s winner against Leipzig in the 74th minute.
Mbappe pointed straight at Messi to tell him he could take the spot kick.
“It’s normal, it’s about respect,” Mbappe said.
“He’s the best player in the world. I’ve always said it’s a privilege to play with him.”
It was the 34th time that Messi scored at least two goals in a Champions League game, bringing the Argentina captain’s total to 123 goals in the tournament. He remains second to longtime rival Cristiano Ronaldo on 137.
Mbappe then took a penalty in the fourth minute of stoppage time, awarded following a video review for a foul on right back Achraf Hakimi, but he blazed it well over.
PSG is atop Group A with seven points, one more than Manchester City. Leipzig is last with no points.
Mbappe opened the scoring with a ninth-minute goal.But after that, the visitors took control by pressing high up the field and forcing panicky PSG into numerous errors.
“(Were we) lucky, no? You make your own luck,” Mbappe said.
“But of course, it was difficult, Leipzig played well. We had some low spells which were perhaps a little bit too low.”
Striker Andre Silva equalised in the 28th and midfielder Nordi Mukiele volleyed in powerfully in the 57th, with left back Angelino setting up both with his deft left foot.
“Leipzig have a good team, full of confidence,” PSG winger Julian Draxler said. “They caused us some problems, but we ruthlessly exploited the room we were allowed.”
PSG was missing forwards Neymar and Mauro Icardi, which gave Draxler a rare start alongside Mbappe and Messi in attack. Neymar has a sore adductor while Icardi was excused for family reasons.
