It was all Kylian Mbappe show at the Nou Camp as PSG showed no mercy to the Catalans.
Paris Saint-Germain thrashed Barcelona 4-1 away in the first leg of the round of 16, with Kylian Mbappe headlining the show with a hat-trick.
Perhaps, it was the hosts who drew first blood after a controversial penalty awarded in the wake of the foul on Frenkie de Jong. Lionel Messi was successful from the spot as he buried the nets past Keylor Navas.
PSG pulled off the equaliser soon through Kylian Mbappe and gained a much-needed momentum before the half-time whistle.
The second half completely belonged to Les Parisiens especially Mbappe, who was all over Barca’s defence.
The French forward, although without the services of his fellow forward Neymar, made it 2-1 in the 65th minute before Moise Kean tripled the lead minutes later.
Mbappe completed his hat-trick with a brilliant strike after catching the hapless Barca on the break. PSG have also put the tie beyond the Catalan club’s reach as they need a miracle to turn things around in the second leg.
It was the biggest stage that one possibly could get, to establish one’s credential as one of the greatest. Mbappe has utilised the opportunity to the fullest.
Ronald Koeman’s recent domestic results have proved to be flattering to deceive as the Dutchman has faltered massively in the Champions League.
On the other hand, PSG gaffer Mauricio Pochettino would be all smiles after churning out a big result even though he couldn’t avail the services of Neymar, Angel Di Maria and Juan Bernat. The Argentine boss has announced his return to Champions League in an emphatic fashion.
