Neymar, Messi Shines As PSG Cruised Past Clermont Foot In First Ligue 1 Game of The 2022/23 Season.

Paris Saint-Germain got off to a thunderous start to their 2022/23 season Ligue 1 title defence campaign.

The reigning champions, cruised to an emphatic 5-0 win against at Clermont Foot at the Stade Gabriel Montpeid on Saturday, scoring three goals in the opening 40 minutes of their first game in the league.

French World Cup champion Kylian Mbappe who missed last week's match due to suspension, also missed out of action again due to injury, though Galtier confirmed he'll likely return against Montpellier next weekend.

In spite of Mbappe's absence, Neymar and Leo Messi stepped up to the plate in the attacking third of the pitch, with both players together involved in all five Paris goals, with Messi's outrageous overhead kick in the 86th minute being the pick of the bunch.

 

The new Les Parisiens manager fielded the same lineup for the second week in a row and it produced similar results fresh off the back of their convincing 4-0 Trophée des Champions victory over last season’s Coupe de France winners Nantes last weekend.

Brazilian attacker Neymar, found the back of the net in the 9th minute after an assist by Lionel Messi.

Goalscorer Neymar then provided an assist for Moroccan wingback Achraf Hakimi who blasted the ball home after latching onto a quick counterattack in the 26th minute.

Brazilian defender Marquinhos then scored a back post header past Clermont goalkeeper Mory Diaw in the 38th minute, with Neymar providing the assist again through a brilliant free-kick to make it 3-0 as PSG went into the break with full advantage.

PSG continued to dominate proceedings into the second half with Neymar who was star of the show, soon grabbed his hattrick of assists on the night.

Neymar unselfishly set Argentine superstar Messi up for a tap-in in the 80th minute to score their fourth.

Messi then rounded out the scoring with his second six minutes later and what a goal it was.

The seven time Ballon d'Or winner controlled the ball with his chest and, with his back to goal, decided to attempt an audacious superb overhead kick.

The victory takes Christophe Galtier’s side to the top of the French Ligue 1 table, while Clermont Foot will most likely be fighting it out in the lower reaches of Ligue 1 this season after narrowly avoiding relegation in the last campaign.

PSG return to action again next Saturday, as they take on Montpellier at the Parc des Princes.

 

Lionel Messi goal vs Clermont Foot..
You can't watch this incredible little man and not think he's The GOAT. #PSG #Messi𓃵 #Messi
pic.twitter.com/gw2hfWbaT3

— What A Goal Messi (@WhatAGoalLeo) August 7, 2022