A stunning Kylian Mbappe goal followed by Nuno Mendes’ strike in the second half was enough for Paris Saint Germain to secure a 2-1 victory over Juventus away from home.
PSG were entering the fixture on the back of the idea that a win here would ensure a top spot for them in Group H after entering the day level on points but ahead on goal difference over SL Benfica, who were playing Maccabi Haifa at the same time.
Mbappe didn’t take long to get the show going. Receiving a darting pass from Lionel Messi, the Frenchman ghosted past two defenders and cut to his right to unleash a powerful strike from outside the box that took a deflection off the post and went in.
The Bianconeri, who have been quite underwhelming this season and had already been eliminated from the tournament by that point, were undeterred by the opening goal and pushed heavily for an equaliser.
Their efforts were rewarded when Manuel Locatelli brilliantly switched the play to Juan Cuadrado, whose diving header took a parry off the glove of Gianluigi Donnarumma, but Leonardo Bonucci was on hand to stab it home.
Juve’s joy was short-lived as second-half substitute Nuno Mendes turned the tide back in PSG’s favour. Mbappe turned provider this time and found Mendes making a wonderful run through the flank. The Portuguese trapped the ball delightfully and found the far corner with precision to score the match-winning goal of the night.
“We’ve beaten Juventus twice and we were very happy until the 92nd minute. But if you want to go far in this competition, you have to beat big teams. Let’s wait for the draw and see who we get in the round of 16,”
PSG boss Christophe Galtier said after the match.
His comments came in the wake of Benfica trumping Maccabi 6-1 to stay level with PSG on points and pass them on goal difference to advance as group winner on overall away goals scored.
Elsewhere, Manchester City had to come from behind to fight for a win against Sevilla. Rafa Mir had put the Spaniards ahead on away turf, but three second-half goals from teenager Rico Lewis on debut, Julian Alvarez, and Riyad Mahrez saw them strolling to a 3-1 win at the Etihad Stadium and topping their group.
