Lionel Messi reappears with an elegant finish in PSG’s landslide 5-1 win over Lille in Ligue 1

The leader Paris Saint-Germain returned to the path of victory with a goal from the Argentine Lionel Messi, who breaks his goalscoring drought, after crushing Lille (11th) 5-1 as a visitor on Sunday in the 23rd day of Ligue 1, before the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 against Real Madrid.

The team led by Mauricio Pochettino prevailed in their displacement thanks to a brace from Portuguese Danilo Pereira (9, 50) and goals from Presnel Kimpembe (31), Messi (37) and Kylian Mbappé (66).

With this victory, the team from the capital recovered their feelings after the bad taste in their mouths after being dismounted last Monday from the Cup round of 32, against Nice on penalties.

For its part, Olympique de Marseille (2nd), who beat Angers (12th) 5-2 on Friday, benefited from the setbacks of Nice (now 3rd), who lost to Clermont (15th) 1-0.

In this way, PSG extended its advantage to 13 points over its closest rival, now Marseille, and 14 over Nice, which has also seen a streak of five straight wins in the league cut short.

A huge mistake by Lille’s Croatian goalkeeper Ivo Grbic after the ball slipped out of his hands allowed Danilo to push the ball into the back of the net without any opposition, for PSG’s first on Sunday.

But the locals were not daunted and managed to equalize the duel after a spectacular incursion down the baseline by Hatem Ben Arfa, who served the Dutchman Sven Botman (28) to finish off the ball without the Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma being able to avoid the goal. .

However, the joy lasted a few minutes. Another second error by Grbic in a poor start from a corner left Kimpembe (32) at the far post to score at will.

Messi, scorer

The night was not on Lille’s side. Messi was also encouraged in the win, breaking his drought in Ligue 1, where he had not scored since November 20. The Argentine star took advantage of a ball poorly cleared by the defense to plant himself before the goalkeeper, whom he beat with his classic lob at mid-height.

A few minutes later, Messi was able to convert his second goal, but the crossbar got in the way after executing a free kick and crashed the leather into the same crossbar. The ‘Flea’ came from recovering from covid after being infected during the Christmas holidays.

“I never had any doubts about Messi, he is the best player in the world. He is the human part, he must adapt. He has had the covid and has needed time to rediscover his fitness. He has been spectacular”, valued coach Pochettino about his compatriot.

Without a doubt, PSG did not forgive. After the restart, Danilo hit the ball in such a way that he easily beat Grbic, in the 51st minute.

Lille tried it in the attack with little success. At that moment, Mbappé (67) pulled a magnificent shot from near the corner of the box out of his hat. With an impeccable curve, the ball entered the far post due to the ineffectiveness of the Croatian goalkeeper.

“We have played a good game. There are many positive things. I congratulate the players for their performance, it was a very good game”, declared Pochettino.

For its part, Nice noted against Clermont (defeat 1-0 at home) the casualties of Argentine goalkeeper Walter Benítez and Danish striker Kasper Dolberg, who tested positive for covid.

Clermont won in Nice with a goal from Elbasan Rashani (minute 77).

For its part, Strasbourg rose to fourth position after beating Nantes (10th) by a solitary goal (1-0) and is four points behind Nice and five behind Marseille.

Lens (9th) lost 2-0 to Lorient (17th), while Reims (14th) thrashed third-last Bordeaux 5-0.

In the other match of the day, Troyes (16th) and Metz (18th) did not go from a draw to zero goals. (D)