CLUB BRUGGE HELD MEGA STAR PSG TO A DRAW
It was a night all football fans was waiting to see the dreaded trio forward of PSG in action. Messi, Mbappe and Neymar are all three in action against Club Brugge in the Uefa Champions League group stage match.
Lionel Messi made his Uefa Champions League debut for PSG, soccer pundits have predicted PSG as favourites to win the 2021/2022 Uefa Champions League trophy.
Club Brugge and PSG are both top of the table in their respective league table, so it was a contest of 1st against 1st. Although PSG boasts of Mega Stars in their team.
The reigning Jupiler Pro League champions, on the other hand, were brave in the opening stages, as the home crowd shouted them on with their unrelenting push.
The home crowd was stunned moments later when Kylian Mbappé, the hat-trick hero from the previous meeting between both teams at the Jan Breydel Stadium, tormented ‘Blauw-Zwart' once more. In the 15th minute, the Frenchman produced an inch-perfect cross for a rampaging Herrera, who finished brilliantly for his first-ever Uefa champions league goal, putting the visitors ahead.
Despite the fact that they were behind, the hosts showed no indications of giving up and were rewarded shortly after. Eduard Sobol drove up the left flank, and his controlled cross found Vanaken, the captain of Club Brugge, who tucked home calmly. Messi came within inches of scoring his first goal for ‘Les Parisiens' after equalizing, but his characteristic whipped drive smashed off the crossbar, depriving him of a debut goal. The frenzied pace continued until the second half, with both teams exuding self-assurance.
Late on, a flighted cross almost gave Phillipe Clement's side the three points, but Noa Lang's acrobatic effort flew just wide of Navas' goal, much to the relief of Mauricio Pochettino. The home audience was ecstatic to see their team collect a well-earned point and avoid defeat to ‘Les Parisiens' for the first time after PSG had won all five of their initial Ligue 1 games. The visitors will be dissatisfied with their performance, but they must give respect to a tenacious Club Brugge defence that deservedly earned a 1-1 draw.
MANCHESTER CITY VS RB LEIPZIG IN A NINE-GOAL THRILLER
Manchester City continued their impressive performance in the Uefa Champions League. The beaten finalist last season began this season campaign by hammering Bundesliga side, RB Leipzig.
It was a night of goals festival at Etihad stadium and a marker from the reigning English Premier League Champions.
The home team seized an early lead, as Nathan Aké soared above a swarm of lurking Leipzig defenders to head home a corner in dramatic fashion only 15 minutes into the game. The German team's fortunes swiftly deteriorated as centre-back Nordi Mukiele headed the ball into his own net from close range, giving Manchester City a 2-0 lead after 27 minutes.
Luckily for Jesse Marsch's side, a well-crafted move in the area found Christopher Nkunku, who nodded the ball behind Ederson just four minutes before the halftime whistle, cutting the score in half. On the stroke of half-time, a handball in the box resulted in a penalty kick for Manchester City, which was ruthlessly put home by Riyad Mahrez to reclaim the two-goal advantage.
Leipzig scored early in the second half once again, and it was a daydream for the City defenders, who left Nkunku alone in the penalty area. The midfielder, who couldn't believe his luck, calmly nodded the ball home to cut City's lead in half for the second time in the game.
The English champions replied fast once more, with a stunning solo strike from £100 million man Jack Grealish restoring City's lead, but the drama did not end there.
Nkunku completed his hat-trick in 73 minutes, only for City's Joao Cancelo to equalize moments later with a brilliant drive from outside the area. On his return to the Etihad, Leipzig full-back Angelio received a red card for the new 5-3 result.
A late Gabriel Jesus goal would top off a thrilling evening at the Etihad, adding to City's remarkable 18-game winning streak in the Champions League group stage. Despite the result, Nkunku earns a place in history as the fourth man to score a hat-trick in the Champions League this century, despite the fact that he is still on the losing side.
RESULTS FROM OTHER UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE PLAYED
BESIKTAS 1
DORTMUND 2
LIVERPOOL 3
AC MILAN 2
ATH.MADRID 0
FC PORTO 0
INTER MILAN 0
REAL MADRID 1
SPORTING 1
AJAX 5
SHERIFF TIRASPOL 2
SHAKTAR DONETSK 0
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