Neymar shows price is right as he puts Hoops in a spin
CELTIC felt the full force of the Neymar factor last night as the world’s most expensive footballer orchestrated Paris Saint-Germain’s rout. Brendan Rodgers’ men were helpless to stem the tide as the £199million Brazil superstar notched his fifth goal in five games against the Hoops in a crushing 5-0 victory for one of the favourites for the trophy. Neymar left Barcelona – and the shadow of Lionel Messi – with two objectives, to be recognised as the best player in the world and on the way help his new club to become champions of Europe. He has not made a bad start.
You cannot keep Messi down, though. While Neymar was making hay, the Argentinian was doing what he does best, too, with a fine double in Barcelona’s 3-0 win over Juventus.
It was a painful night for Celtic, who could also be in trouble with UEFA after a spectator ran on to the pitch and aimed a kick at Kylian Mbappe, although he was dragged away before he could do any damage.
Faced by the formidable front three of Neymar, Edinson Cavani and last year’s Champions League sensation Mbappe – on a season’s loan from Monaco – Celtic did their best but the odds were always against them.
Neymar started megaspending PSG’s ball rolling in the 19th minute. With Celtic appealing in vain for a foul on Scott Sinclair, he raced on to Adrien Rabiot’s inch-perfect through-ball
and clipped his shot over Craig Gordon.
Celtic’s best chance came almost immediately but Leigh Griffiths’ curling 25-yard freekick was turned over the bar by Alphonse Areola.
But just when Rodgers, right, felt his side were getting into the game, Neymar headed across goal and although Cavani kicked fresh air, Mbappe pounced to fire home from close range. Six minutes later, the game looked out of the Hoops’ reach. Jozip Simunovic pulled back Cavani inside the penalty are – a needless foul as the Uruguayan was not going to get anywhere near the cross. Cavani duly picked himself up and drove his spot-kick into the top lefthand corner.
Two late goals – Mikel Lustig diverting Julian Draxler’s cross into his own net and Cavani’s clever header after being picked out by Layvin Kurzawa – were no less than PSG deserved.
Meanwhile, revenge was in the air at the Nou Camp and Messi was to the fore as Barcelona sought redemption for defeat by Juventus in last season’s quarter-finals.
Messi finally laid his hoodoo over never scoring against Gianluigi Buffon as he left the veteran Juve and Italy goalkeeper helpless.
Neymar’s replacement, £136m Ousmane Dembele, signed from Borussia Dortmund, made his first start but like many nights in Barca’s cathedral of football, this was the Messi show.
He played a superb onetwo with Luis Suarez before firing inside the far post.
Ivan Rakitic doubled the score after 56 minutes and Messi wrapped it up with 20 minutes left, dancing into the middle before firing past Buffon.