Kylian Mbappe’s hat-trick inspired Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) to a 4-1 Champions league victory against Barcelona at Camp Nou on Tuesday night.
This gave Mauricio Pochettino’s side a big advantage into the last-16 second-leg tie on March 10.
The French forward’s three goals inspired PSG to an emphatic 4-1 victory at Barcelona in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.
The host (Barcelona) opened the scoring through star man Lionel Messi in the 27th minute.
Frankie de Jong had his heels clipped in the penalty box by Layvin Kurzawa and Messi stepped up to the task and netted the resulting penalty perfectly.
Meanwhile, Ousmane Dembele had a brilliant chance to double Barca’s lead moments later but his scuffed shot was straight at PSG’s keeper Keylor Navas.
Kylain Mbappe responded five minutes later for the visitors, who were without Neymar and Angel Di Maria.
The French forward fired high past Marc- Andre ter Stegen from a sublime Marco Verratti assist.
After the break, PSG took over the game, Mbappe added his second of the night in the 65th minute, a Alessandro Florenzi ball in fell to him to slam home.
Moise Kean scored the third for the visitors by heading home a Leandro Parades free-kick. Barcelona’s goalkeeper, Ter Stegen did all he could but couldn’t stop Kean’s header.
Substitute, Julian Draxler teed up with Mbappe for his third goal of the night in the 85th minute. He majestically curled the ball beyond Ter Stegen for his hat-trick.
The loss leaves Barca requiring another considerable comeback heading into the second leg at the Parc des Princes on March 10, four years from the sides’ memorable last of 16 clash in which the La Liga outfit recovered from a 4-goal deficit in France by wining the second 6-1 at the Nou camp.
