'Holy cow': Lionel Messi makes history with 'sensational' moment
Lionel Messi has continued his affiliation with scoring against English opposition after he opened his PSG account with a ridiculous goal against Man City in the Champions League.
Messi and his teammates put together their best performance of the season since his summer move from Barcelona as his new club defeated Manchester City 2-0.
BRUTAL: Aussie legend Harry Kewell axed by fifth-tier club
'WHAT A DISGRACE': Football world rages over Cristiano Ronaldo drama
Having under-performed since his move to the French capital, Messi saved his opening goal for when it mattered most.
Messi's 121st Champions League goal came after a trademark driving run forward from inside his own-half, followed by a one-two with Kylian Mbappe.
The Argentine slotted the ball from the top of the box to cement PSG's win against the champions of England.
PSG had taken the lead through a less-expected source, Idrissa Gana Gueye scoring with a powerful finish after eight minutes.
With Raheem Sterling and Bernardo Silva both hitting the bar within the space of a few seconds midway through the first half, and Gianluigo Donnarumma in fine form, City were unable to reply.
But it was Messi who had fans out of their seat.
Fantastic to see Messiβs first PSG goal close up & the raucous crowd certainly didnβt fit the narrative that the French are comme ci, comme Γ§a about football. It was seriously noisy. City need a centre forward. @StanSportAU #Messi #PSGMCI pic.twitter.com/h2oGq9oQsl
β Mark Pougatch (@markpougatch) September 28, 2021
I desperately wanted PSG to lose but holy cow watching this goal back gave me chills. The roar of the crowd and from Messiβ¦
Only he could raise the roof quite like that. The greatest of all time. π pic.twitter.com/c67k686EfAβ Jilshie (@LegendaryLewy) September 28, 2021
Messiβs first for PSG was his 27th goal against Premier League opposition in his 31st appearance. All in the Champions League and all against the so called big sixβ¦and some say he couldnβt do it here. π€£π€£π€£
β Gary Lineker π (@GaryLineker) September 28, 2021
Oh I say. Messi scores a wonder goal. Of course he does. Sensational.
β Gary Lineker π (@GaryLineker) September 28, 2021
As a coach this is so infuriating.
Youβve got 5 men behind the ball, Messi only has one option in front of him. The likelihood of Paris scoring from here is so low - but when itβs Messi, itβs always possible.
Someone probably should have fouled him but itβs so unlucky for City. pic.twitter.com/OXRr8PIEepβ EiF (@EiFSoccer) September 28, 2021
Did I lose it? Of course I lost it!!!! What a goal! Meeeeesssssiiiiii, Meeeeessssiiii, Meeeesssssiiiiii! #GoalsShow #Messi #PSG@btsportfootball @btsport pic.twitter.com/itHQErGyRv
β Julien Laurens (@LaurensJulien) September 28, 2021
Messi scored a proper goal, unlike the other guy that has scored only tap ins for Man United πΉπΉ
Took the ball from his own half, ran straight at the heart of the champions of England but he placed the ball with their keeper rooted to the spot.
Goal pass goal abeg. Respect ππ½β Nonso π (@ugliest101) September 28, 2021
Neymar was pumped for Messiβs first PSG goal π€ @brfootball pic.twitter.com/wEceSkJhNL
β Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 28, 2021
Messi was quick to give praise to Mbappe after his goal as he pointed towards the heir to his throne in his celebration.
The goal marked more history for Messi as he became just the second player in history to have scored in 17 consecutive champions league seasons, after Real Madrid's Karim Benzema.
After the game, coach Mauricio Pochettino was delighted at Messi's opening goal.
"I think it was amazing, his performance. And he scored an amazing goal. He's the best player in the world."
"I think it was amazing, his performance. And he scored an amazing goal. He's the best player in the world."
The Lionel Messi effect π
Mauricio Pochettino is beaming after PSG's 2-0 win over Man City...
π @TheDesKelly pic.twitter.com/0RW7kZms5uβ Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) September 28, 2021
Champions League results
But Messi has had to share the headlines with the hitherto unknown Sebastien Thill.
The Luxembourg international scored a stunning injury-time winner for Moldovan outsiders Sheriff Tiraspol away to 13-times winners Real Madrid in an extraordinary upset.
Elsewhere Liverpool won 5-1 away to Porto while Milan, having led 1-0 with ten men until the 83rd minute, lost in injury-time to Atletico Madrid.
There were also wins for Club Bruges, Ajax and Borussia Dortmund, while Inter Milan drew with Shakhtar Donetsk.
If all eyes were on Paris attention was increasingly drawn to Madrid after Jasurbek Yakhshiboev headed the Champions League newcomers into the lead after 25 minutes.
It was not until Karim Benzema converted a 65th-minute penalty that Real levelled, but they were then expected to go on and win. However, staunch defending and goalkeeping kept Madrid at bay until a rare Sheriff attack ended with Thill thrashing a shot into the net from the edge of the area.
with AAP
Click here to sign up to our newsletter for all the latest and breaking stories from Australia and around the world.
