PSG’s Kylian Mbappe outshines Lionel Messi by scoring a superb hat-trick on Tuesday night. – By Madellene Kalunda.
Being his first time at Camp Nou and his first time facing Barcelona, Mbappe delivered with three classy goals that saw him become the first visiting player to score a hat-trick at the Nou Camp in 24 years.
He completely overshadowed Messi and destroyed Barcelona. It was a night that will surely be looked back on as one where he proclaimed himself as the new best player in the world.
As early as the second minute, the French forward was giving the Barcelona defence a fright with his pace and from then on, every time he got the ball, he caused Ronald Koeman’s side problems.
It was a performance like no other, that drew special praise from Barca forward and international team-mate Antoine Griezmann. “Kylian Mbappe had a great night. PSG has a great star for the future, who will be at the level of Leo Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo.” he said.
When it comes to players with 20 or more goals in the UEFA Champions League, Mbappe has scored the most goals in away matches.
With Neymar and Angel di Maria sidelined due to injuries, Mbappe went ahead to successfully net three goals for PSG, making him the third player to score a treble in the competition against Barcelona.
Lionel Messi gave Barca the lead at the 27th minute by scoring a penalty. Barca created their first clear opening. PSG took the lead after the break.
Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman had this to say, “We have to admit that they have been superior. They have shown that they have a more complete team than us. We have to accept it, improve things. We know that this can happen because we play against a great team, a physical team, with experience… for many things, that is ahead of us.”
PSG manager Mauricio Pochettino said, “Yesterday, at training, he asked me how many times I had won at the Camp Nou. Once, I told him. He replied to me: ‘Tomorrow, we are going to win a second time.’ He is a top player.”
