Neymar scores a double, as PSG held for 3-3 draw by Monaco

Neymar celebrating PSG goal against Monaco
Neymar celebrating PSG goal against Monaco

Monaco twice came from back to claim a 3-3 draw against Paris Saint-Germain in a Ligue 1 thriller at the Parc des Princes on Sunday.

The Brazilian struck a third-minute opener before goals from Gelson Martins and Wissam Ben Yedder completed a quick six-minute turnaround for the visitors. Fode Ballo-Toure’s own-goal and Neymar’s second from the penalty spot then handed PSG a half-time lead.

But Islam Slimani made it 3-3 after 70 minutes to deny the champions victory.

Slimani’s goal was eventually awarded after a lengthy VAR review overruled an initial offside verdict.

Kylian Mbappe, who won his side’s penalty following a foul by Martins, and Edinson Cavani both squandered injury-time opportunities as PSG chased a winner.

A point from this match, provids Thomas Tuchel’s side a five points lead of closest challengers Marseille with one game in hand.

Neymar saves PSG yet another time

Injuries and the drama over his long-term club future have provided a less-than-pleasnt backdrop to Neymar’s third season with Paris. But he has now scored in each of his last seven matches in every competitions from 4th December, 2019. The Brazil star displayed his class several times and the sight of him charging back to his own box to break up a Monaco counter-attack with an hour played heartened the Parc des Princes faithful.

Verratti failed to impress.

Italy international footballer Verratti showed his exemplified quality with the pass for Neymar’s opener, but his other role in Tuchel’s expansive attacking line-up is to support and protect the back four. Too often, he came up woefully short in this department against a vibrant and fast Monaco, not least when Gelson’s deft spin left him on the turf in the build-up to Slimani’s equaliser.