The atmosphere in Haifa was more than electric as the glittering galaxy of PSG stars took the field, and this energy pushed Maccabi to an excellent performance against their more illustrious visitors.

'We fell asleep'

Despite being one of the favourites to go all the way this season, Paris Saint-Germain were pegged back in their own half for long stretches and some uncharacteristic errors from the front three of Lionel Messi, Mbappé and Neymar meant that when Surinamese forward Tjaronn Chery fired into the back of the net (24'), an upset was on the cards.

"We fell asleep and conceded the first goal," admitted Mbappé. "After that we reacted well. We started to set up our game and to make differences. We were able to score a second goal and then make it a show at the end with the third."

Indeed, Mbappé set up Messi for the leveller with a burst in the box (37') and then the duo switched roles for the Boy from Bondy to lash home with a trademark right-footed finish (69'). Paris' superiority continued to grow as Haifa, tired by their incessant pressing, started to flag and Neymar took full advantage as he latched onto a superb long ball from Marco Verratti and rifled home (88').

'We have to work'

However, for Mbappé, Paris Saint-Germain should be killing matches off - instead of riding their luck - especially given the unpredictability of a campaign with an unprecedented mid-season World Cup.      

"We have to improve. We have to work," said the ambitious youngster. "We work, we work during the week but now we have to get results quickly because important things are coming thick and fast, with the international break and especially the World Cup."

The league leaders' next assignment comes in the form of Sunday's headline Round 8 clash away to fifth-placed Lyon.