Manchester City beats PSG 2-1; qualify for next round as table toppers
In the match week 5, one of the most awaited matches of the season was played between Manchester City and Paris Saint Germaine. It was master against the disciple yet again, as Pep Guardiola and Messi – the former Barcelona duo, met on the field again, albeit in different colors. Also considering the recent history between the two clubs and some results, it was a belter of a match and it certainly lived up to the billings.
Looking for revenge for their previous and only loss in this year’s Champions League, City played some very attacking games in the first half of the match. Although they were missing Kevin De Bruyne on the field, due to COVID-19, it wasn’t visible from their game. They dictated the possession and managed to find the spaces on offer to exploit the Paris defense whenever they could. Keylor Navas however stood tall to the task in the first half of keeping them out.
The second half saw an early goal in the 50th minute with Messi and Neymar combining to make a great run, which later resulted in a deflected pass to Mbappe, who coolly rolled the ball in the back of the net to make it 1-0 in Paris’ favor.
Manchester City, did not take too long to level the scoring. 13 minutes later, they were bearing down Paris’ goal. Attacking in numbers and with men in the box, the goal was imminent. And that is what happened when a great cross was sent in for Jesus, who missed the first time shot. But Sterling was chasing the ball and it ended up as a tap-in for him in the 63rd minute.
In the 76th minute, Bernardo Silva and Gabriel Jesus combined yet again, this time to put the game to bed. A perfect breakaway attack followed by a net bulging shot by Jesus saw Manchester City home. Both the teams have qualified for the next round of the Champions League.
