Paris Saint-Germain coach Christophe Galtier said being able to call on Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar was "paradise" after seeing his feared trio tear Maccabi Haifa apart in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Messi scored twice in the 7-2 rout, as did Mbappe, while Neymar was also on target as victory ensured PSG moved into the last 16 of the Champions League from Group H.
Argentine superstar Messi now has 129 Champions League goals and, despite being 35, looks set to keep scoring, especially with Mbappe and Neymar alongside him in a 4-3-3 formation.
"I saw the players enjoy themselves, and that's very important," Galtier said. "I had to think about how our fantastic three players up front could express themselves as best as possible and that the system could be very important.
"It's very pleasant to train them, to see them play every day. For a coach, it's paradise."
PSG ratings
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PSG RATINGS: Gianluigi Donnarumma – 6. Although a bystander for much of the game, Donnarumma could do little to save his clean sheet when Abdoulaye Seck was twice left unmarked from set pieces to head home both times. AFP -
Achraf Hakimi – 7. The Moroccan right-back increasingly advanced on the wing in the second half, helping to create both the fifth and sixth goal. He had a decent opportunity in the second half to score when he broke free in the box, but he was unable to get the ball from under his feet before Josh Cohen collected it. EPA -
Sergio Ramos – 7. Confident performance in the centre of defence. Cleared a ball into the box when Hakimi was beaten by Cornud’s trickery. Booked. AFP -
Marquinhos – 7. The PSG captain (top row, second from right) was calm and collected at the back but looked frustrated by his team’s sideways passing moves going forward. At one time, he looked to get in on the goalscoring action when he continued a run into the box before Hakimi decided to take a shot. AFP -
Juan Bernat – 6. Struggled to clear the danger when Seck drilled forward into the final third before Marquinhos cleared, but on the whole he got his foot into his fair share of tackles and linked well with Mbappe. AP -
Vitinha – 6. Dispossessed often in PSG’s midfield, including in the second half to kickstart a Maccabi Hafia attack and gift Frantzdy Pierrot a heading opportunity. Vitinha grew into the game and thrived as PSG enjoyed the second half. AP -
Fabian Ruiz – 6. Should have scored his first goal as a PSG player when he was given space in the box before he pulled his shot narrowly wide. Later, he was caught ball watching in the box for Seck’s second. AFP -
Renato Sanches – 6. A solid performance by the former Lille player who allowed the front three to enjoy freedom to spring forward on the counter plenty of times. AP -
Lionel Messi – 10. The Argentine marked his 50th game for PSG with two goals and two assists, including scoring with a moment of quality from the outside of his foot to flick a curving ball into the top corner. He was a constant problem for his opponents who were unable to get close to him. He would have fully deserved a hat-trick if his shot didn’t bounce off the crossbar. AP -
Kylian Mbappe – 9. The Frenchman scored his 15th goal of the season after some neat play with Neymar before he curled his shot into the top corner to double PSG’s lead. He doubled his own tally when he calmly brought down the ball before curling another beauty in front of the home fans. Kylian Mbappe AFP -
Neymar – 10. A constant nuisance in attack. Played a sublime pass into Ruiz in the first half before, moments later, having an opportunity of his own. Finished a beautiful counter attacking move by the PSG’s front three by netting a deserved goal. He will feel hard done by after his trickery and shot for PSG’s sixth managed to take a deflection off Sean Goldberg. Silly booking to miss the next game. EPA -
SUBS: Carlos Soler (Sanches 68’) – 8. The substitute saw his first shot go wide of the post but he finally netted his first for PSG with a low strike from just inside the box to add a seventh. EPA -
Hugo Ekitike (Mbappe 79’) – N/R. The 20-year-old tested the goalkeeper on his first involvement in play, before being played in by Messi with a beautiful ball before Cohen saved once again. AP -
Presnel Kimpembe (Marquinhos 79’) – N/R. A return from injury for Kimpembe who was handed the captain’s armband. AP Photo -
Pablo Sarabia (Ruiz 83’) – N/R. A late change for PSG. AP
Messi and Mbappe also ended with two assists each while Neymar's dribble forced an own goal by Sean Goldberg as the trio proved unplayable at times.
"I had a front-row seat to watch them tonight," PSG midfielder Vitinha said. "We're all impressed, because they do things that others can't. It's really a privilege."
Maccabi Haifa, who saw Senegalese defender Abdoulaye Seck score both of their goals, are eliminated along with Juventus but the Israeli champions could still pip the Italian giants to third place and Europa League football after the break for the World Cup.
"I prefer to lose 7-2 than 4-0 playing bad football," said Maccabi coach Barak Bakhar.
"We were up against the best players in the world and they proved it tonight."
