Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé were undefendable at times as champions Paris Saint-Germain opened up a provisional six-point lead in Ligue 1 Uber Eats with victory at AC Ajaccio.
AC Ajaccio 0-3 Paris Saint-Germain
THE MATCH
PSG travelled to Corsica without suspended pair Neymar Jr. and Sergio Ramos, but they still put a strong XI out at the Stade François Coty. That didn't stop Ajaccio from having the first chance of the game, though, with Mounaïm El Idrissy hitting the outside side-netting of Gigio Donnarumma's goal (5'). Messi then curled a free-kick towards the Ajaccio goal which deflected off Bevic Moussiti-Oko, but Benjamin Leroy reacted well to make the save (13'). Vincent Marchetti fired an effort over the bar at the other end (21') before PSG made it 1-0, with Messi slipping Mbappé through who then made no mistake for his ninth goal of the campaign (24'). Mbappé should have doubled his and his side's tally soon after when he was teed up by Achraf Hakimi, but his finish let him down (35') and it was 1-0 at the break.
Messi and Mbappé magic
Messi chipped a fine pass through for the onrushing Juan Bernat at the start of the season half, but the Spaniard's touch didn't match the would-be assist that preceded it, and Leroy was able to close down the angle in time (48'). Renato Sanches then forced a good save from Leroy (50') as the hosts held on. Mbappé wriggled his was past Mohamed Youssouf soon after, but then fired wide (56'). Donnarumma was then forced into a rare save when Youcef Belaïli let fly (71'). PSG soon pulled further clear, though. Mbappé set up Messi with a backheel, the Argentina skipped past Leroy, and it was 2-0 moments later (79'). Mbappé then completed the scoring when he and Messi exchanged roles, steering home from close range (82').
THE PLAYER: Lionel Messi
Messi is aging like a fine wine in France after a difficult first season with Paris, and now has six goals and nine assists in Ligue 1 Uber Eats this term - plundered at a rate of one every 63 minutes he has played. No player in any of Europe's top five leagues per UEFA coefficient has more assists than Messi in 2022/23.
THE STAT: 10
Mbappé is now the top scorer in the league with 10 goals, pulling clear of LOSC's Jojnathan David and PSG teammate Neymar. The Frenchman has been crowned Ligue 1 Uber Eats' top goalscorer at the end of each of the last four seasons, and it wouldn't be safe to bet against him making that five.
