Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi had the final say with a stunning free-kick to secure a 4-3 victory for Paris Saint-Germain against Lille in an extraordinary Ligue 1 match.
Kylian Mbappe scored two goals, but Neymar was carried off on a stretcher due to an apparent ankle injury. Despite squandering a two-goal lead and falling behind 3-2, Mbappe managed to score a late equalizer, setting the stage for Messi's stunning strike.
The win ends PSG's run of three consecutive defeats and places them eight points clear of second-placed Marseille, who are set to visit Toulouse and then host PSG next weekend.
Although the team did not deliver a great performance, Mbappe stated that they showed resilience and proved to be a different team with different players who can always find a way to win.
The injury to Neymar is a major concern for the Parisians, especially with the upcoming Marseille showdown and the second leg of PSG's Champions League last-16 tie against Bayern Munich on 8 March. Mbappe expressed his hope for Neymar's speedy recovery, acknowledging his importance to the team.
PSG, who were looking to bounce back from a 1-0 loss to Bayern Munich in the first leg of the Champions League, took an early lead against Lille through Mbappe, who was making his first start after returning from a recent thigh injury.
Neymar soon extended the lead, but Bafode Diakite pulled one back for Lille. The away side then drew level from a penalty by Jonathan David after a foul by Marco Verratti in the box, before Jonathan Bamba's superb finish put them in the lead.
Mbappe's late equalizer set the stage for Messi's match-winning free-kick after he was fouled just outside the area by Benjamin Andre, completing a remarkable game.
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