Neymar shines as PSG thrash Le Havre 9-0 in friendly match

It was a significant game as it marked the return of fans to watch elite European football for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic shut down sport across the continent earlier this year. For their return to work, PSG’s star duo of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe wore face masks in red, white and blue […]
2020-07-13 22:35:00

It was a significant game as it marked the return of fans to watch elite European football for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic shut down sport across the continent earlier this year.

For their return to work, PSG’s star duo of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe wore face masks in red, white and blue PSG colors as they stepped into the stadium. They also wore messages of thanks for health workers on their kit.

“Now its for real … we’re back,” Mbappe tweeted before kickoff on Sunday.

Only a fifth (5,000) people were allowed inside Le Havre’s 25,000-seat Stade Oceane to see the French League 2 club take on PSG, with Neymar and Mbappe in the starting XI named by Thomas Tuchel.

PSG made their intention known from the onset and showed no signs of rustiness at all.

Mauro Icardi and Neymar Jr both scored braces in the first half while Kylian Mbappe also found the net.

Idrissa Gueye added a sixth after the break and Pablo Sarabia netted twice, either side of Arnaud Kalimuendo’s effort.

Neymar was particularly in fine form and one of his goals included a beautiful solo run where he raced around the goalkeeper before slotting home.

PSG would now be hoping they can get match fit in time as the games are beginning to come in thick for them. Ligue 1 might have been ended but they still have the French Cup final against St Etienne on July 31st. The French giants will also resume their Champions League campaign in August where they will face Atalanta in the quarter-finals.