PSG 4-3 Troyes: Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe all score in second half goal-fest as Parisians come back from going a goal down in shaky victory to restore their lead at the top of Ligue 1
- PSG came back from going two goals down to defeat Troyes 4-3 on Saturday
- Mama Balde gave mid-table Troyes the lead before PSG Carlos Soler equalised
- Lionel Messi inspired his side to victory scoring once before assisting Neymar
- The result puts PSG top of Ligue 1, five points clear of Lens after 13 games
Lionel Messi grabbed a goal and an assist to inspire Paris St Germain to a 4-3 comeback victory over Troyes on Saturday as they restored their lead at the top of Ligue 1 to five points.
The result moved unbeaten PSG to 35 from 13 games ahead of second-placed Lens who beat Toulouse 3-0 on Friday.
Mama Balde had given mid-table Troyes the lead twice before Messi assumed control to score his seventh Ligue 1 goal of the season and take his tally of assists to 10 — a league high.
Lionel Messi (left) set up Neymar Jr (right) for PSG’s third goal during their 4-3 win vs Troyes
Messi also scored in the match to bring the scores level at 2-2 at the Parc des Princes
PSG started slowly and Troyes needed just three minutes to stun the crowd at the Parc des Princes, as Abdu Conte raced down the touchline to send a cross into the box where Rony Lopes set up the chance for Balde to volley into the net.
Troyes frustrated PSG but the home side remained patient and it paid off in the 24th minute when Neymar spotted Carlos Soler making a run, scooping a through ball into the box for the Spanish midfielder to round keeper Gauthier Gallon and score.
Balde restored Troyes’ lead seven minutes into the second half, receiving a cross on the turn and firing it low past keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
He could have had a third when he tried to beat PSG’s high line before being denied by the linesman’s offside flag but Messi then quickly stole the show.
Mama Balde (pictured) scored twice during the match, giving Troyes a 1-0 lead in the first half
The second half featured five goals with Balde (L) opening the scoring for Troyes
The Argentine first pulled the trigger from almost 30 metres to equalise with a sizzling strike before turning provider minutes later with an incisive through ball for Neymar to score as PSG went ahead for the first time in the match.
Gallon then brought Soler down in the box amid a mix-up with the defence and Kylian Mbappe got in on the act with a penalty as PSG’s star-studded attacking trio all found the net.
Troyes pulled one back in the dying stages when Ante Palaversa took advantage of shoddy marking to head home but PSG held on take the three points.
Troyes remain in 11th place with 13 points.
Carlos Soler (right) opened the scoring for PSG in the first half to draw level with Troyes
Kylian Mbappe (pictured) scored from the spot to secure his fifth goal in three games
