Here’s what happened on Wednesday in the UEFA Champions League, in case you missed it…
READ ALL ABOUT IT
• Roundup: Neymar nets hat trick, Messi marvels at Wembley & more
SCOREBOARD
Atletico Madrid 3, Club Brugge 1 || Borussia Dortmund 3, AS Monaco 0 || PSV Eindhoven 2, Inter Milan 2 || Tottenham 2, FC Barcelona 4 || Paris Saint-Germain 6, Red Star Belgrade 1 || Napoli 1, Liverpool 0 || Lokomotiv Moscow 0, Schalke 1 || Porto 1, Galatasaray 0
WHAT STOOD OUT
Neymar’s hat trick
Neymar continued to get quite a bit of stick for his shameful diving and playacting in the aftermath of this summer’s World Cup in Russia, but he reminded everybody on Wednesday that he’s also a fabulous footballer.
The Brazilian effectively linked up with partners-in-crime Kylian Mbappe and Edinson Cavani, and scored three times as PSG thumped visitors Red Star Belgrade. Neymar completed his hat trick in the 81st minute in style, curling a free kick from 25 yards out around the outside of the defensive wall and into the top right corner. Canadian international goalkeeper Milan Borjan could only look on helplessly as the ball flew past him.
Neymar now has 30 goals, which ties Kaka as the highest-scoring Brazilian in Champions League history. He also became the first player to score two direct free-kicks in a Champions League game since Cristiano Ronaldo did it against Zürich in 2009.
Magnificent Messi
It was another masterclass from Lionel Messi, as the Argentine bagged a brace in helping Barcelona earn a thrilling 4-2 win away to Tottenham.
Spurs were schooled by Messi on this night, chasing his shadows for most of the match, as he laid siege upon Hugo Lloris’ goal, scoring twice, hitting the woodwork on two occasions, and being involved in the buildup to the two goals he didn’t score.
Not content to simply wait for the ball to come to him, Messi was in constant search for it and routinely made himself available, dropping back deep to start one Barca attack after another. Spurs were no doubt sick of the sight of Messi by the end of the match, and you can only wonder what he has in store for the London club when they pay a visit to Camp Nou later in the group stage.
There’s something about playing English opposition that brings out the best in the Argentine. He has now scored more goals (21) and provided more assists (six) against Premier League clubs in the Champions League than against teams from any other nation.
Napoli full value for win over Liverpool
Liverpool’s reputation as top dogs in the Premier League preceded them ahead of their visit to Campagna. But Napoli wasn’t impressed by the Reds’ unbeaten domestic record, as Carlo Ancelotti’s men pulled out a deserved win via a late goal from Lorenzo Insigne.
Liverpool’s dynamic attacking trio of Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino huffed and puffed, but didn’t come close to blowing down Napoli’s staunch defence, quarterbacked by the fabulous central pairing of Raul Albiol and Kalidou Koulibaly. Salah rarely had any time on the ball thanks to Koulibaly, who effectively shadowed the Egyptian all night.
At the other end of the field, it was Insigne and second-half substitute Dries Mertens who led Napoli’s throbbing attack during a furious, final 30 minutes. Liverpool rode its luck at times and looked to have secured a draw. But then Jose Maria Callejon played a perfect ball into the box at the back post for Insigne to run onto and knock home.
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BEST GOAL
In the 39th minute, Club Brugge’s Arnaut Danjuma unleashed a powerful, angled shot from around 20 yards out that beat Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Jan Oblak and nestled inside the far corner.
BEST MOMENT
The look on Canadian goalkeeper Milan Borjan’s face – as if to say “What could I do? – after being beaten by Neymar for his third goal of the game.
BEST GAME
When Barcelona went up 1-0 after only two minutes it looked like it was going to be a long night for Tottenham. But the London side battled back in a six-goal thriller that provided plenty of highlight-reel moments.
HE SAID IT
“I really liked the fact it was a team effort tonight, but Neymar was outstanding. He was just sensational, magnificent. You can sense that he’s hungry, that he wants to make the difference and win the ball back.” – PSG manager Thomas Tuchel
BEST TWEET
THE GAME WITHIN GAME
Left fullback Mari Rui was an unsung hero for Napoli on the night, playing a key role in helping to shut down Liverpool’s trio of Mane, Salah and Firmino, as well as getting forward and providing the Italians with plenty of attacking width.
SIX PACK OF STATS
• Wednesday marked the first time that PSG led by four goals or more at halftime in a Champions League match.
• FC Barcelona defender Gerard Pique is the 10th Spanish player to play in 100 Champions League matches.
• Schalke has won three consecutive Champions League away games for the first time in club history.
• No player has scored more goals (17) in the Champions League for Borussia Dortmund than Marco Reus (same as Robert Lewandowski).
• Four Italian teams have won on the same group stage matchday in the Champions League for the first time since November 2005.
• Tottenham’s Harry Kane has scored 10 goals in 12 Champions League appearances. Only Adriano (11), Sadio Mané (11) and Roberto Firmino (11) have hit double figures quicker in the competition.
Stats courtesy of Opta
THREE STARS
1) Neymar, Paris Saint-Germain: The Brazilian scored three times as PSG ran rampant at home over Red Star Belgrade.
2) Lionel Messi, FC Barcelona: The Argentine ace put on a show at Wembley, highlighted by his fabulous brace.
3) Jordi Alba, FC Barcelona: The Spanish left fullback had collected three assists on the night and set up both of Messi’s goals.
