Neymar shines for PSG as he bags an impressive hat-trick and career milestone against Istanbul Basaksehir

Neymar scored a hat-trick as Paris Saint-Germain eased pass Istanbul Basaksehir 5-1 in a rescheduled Champions League final group fixture on Wednesday night. The match had to be replayed on Wednesday night after the fourth official made a racial remark on one of Istanbul Basaksehir’s assistant coach Pierre Webo before sending him off. Both teams […]
2020-12-11 15:57:03

Neymar scored a hat-trick as Paris Saint-Germain eased pass Istanbul Basaksehir 5-1 in a rescheduled Champions League final group fixture on Wednesday night.

The match had to be replayed on Wednesday night after the fourth official made a racial remark on one of Istanbul Basaksehir’s assistant coach Pierre Webo before sending him off. Both teams were in solidarity and walked off the pitch in a show to support the fight against racism.

The PSG and Basaksehir alongside the referees took a knee before the game restarted from the 14th minute where it was suspended.

Neymar scored three times with Kylian Mbappe also scoring his first two goals in the competition in over a year for PSG. The French side who had already qualified for the round of 16, advanced from the group as group leaders with 12 points, ahead of German side RB Leipzig thanks to their better head-to-head record.

Neymar opened the scoring in the 25th minute from outside the goal area before doubling his goal tally for the evening minutes later assisted by Kylian Mbappe.

Mbappe then made it 3-0 three minutes before the breakthrough a penalty kick.

Elsewhere, French forward Mbappe became the youngest player to score 20 goals in the competition.

The Brazilian then completed his hat-trick in the second half with a stunning strike from just outside the area. The goal makes it his sixth goal in five appearances in the competition thus far this season. It also means Neymar becomes the first player to score 20 Champions League goals for two different sides, having done so with Barça as well.

Basaksehir pulled one back in the 57th minute but it was only a consolation goal.

Mbappe then restored PSG four goal lead before the match ended to see PSG advance to the round of 16 of the Champions League.