Lionel Messi shone for the PSG (Paris Saint-Germain Football Club) when they needed him the most. In the last minutes of the match, Messi secured the team’s victory with a stunning stoppage-time free-kick.
What Happened in the Match?
PSG was down 3-2 after leading 2-0 early in the contest against Lille OSC. Just when it seemed like the match would end in a draw after Kylian Mbappe’s efforts, PSG won a free-kick right outside Lille OSC’s box.
When Messi stepped up to shoot the ball, it did not look like he would be able to curl it around goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier. However, Messi shot the ball into the bottom right of the goal and secured PSG’s 4-3 victory.
What Else Happened in the PSG VS Lille OSC Match
Before Messi scored the winning goal, PSG suffered three consecutive defeats. Messi’s free-kick was so significant that manager Christoph Galtier even joined in with the celebrations.
Messi got big hugs from a delighted Kylian Mbappe and Sergio Ramos before Galtier ran down the touchline to join the celebrations.
In the stands, Messi’s wife, Antonella Rocuzzo could be spotted cheering among the thousands in attendance following the dramatic end of the game.
Unfortunately, there was a downside to PSG’s victory. During the 50th minute of the game, Neymar came off injured on a stretcher. After the match, the PSG announced that the forward had undergone an MRI scan that revealed no fracture to the ankle, but there will be more tests done.
While there is a worry about Neymar’s condition, there are many that place their hopes in Mbappe and Messi for future masses.
Messi’s Records After the Match
Messi’s free-kick marks in the match against Lille OSC marks his 39th free-kick goal since the 2010-11 season. Additionally, it is the football star’s 40th goal from outside the box since the start of the 2017/18 season.
This record is 20 more than any other player in Europe’s top five leagues during that period. Kevin De Bruyne is second on 20 goals from outside of the box.
Starting from the 2018/19 season, Messi has scored 16 goals from free-kicks, which is the best record among all clubs in Europe. The only team that comes close to this tally is Southampton, who have also scored 16 free-kick goals during this period.
Aside from this, Messi has made the top spot in the ranking of the best kickers in the five major leagues. Cristiano Ronaldo is next on the list, with 23 goals scored from a free-kick position.
What’s Next for PSG?
Following this match, PSG remains number one in the Ligue 1 standings with eighteen wins out of twenty-four games. The PSG’s next Ligue 1 match will be against Marseille on February 27. Currently, Marseille is second in the league standings with sixteen wins from twenty-four matches.
The Ligue 1 is a French professional league for men’s association football clubs. This year’s Ligue 1 marks the 85th season of the tournament, and Paris Saint-Germain is the defending champion.
