Flaming hot and in-season Argentine wizard Lionel Messi promptly got on the scoresheet to land another Champions League milestone despite his side dropping two points in Lisbon.
Lionel ‘La Pulga’ Messi again unmistakably, and with indelible flair, etched his name on a totally new page in the Champions League’s history books once again following his contribution for Paris Saint-Germain in Wednesday night’s clash with Benfica. The 35-year-old Argentine ace came through with panache and a brilliant flourish to score his side’s only goal in the 1-1 draw inside Estádio da Luz, in the process becoming the only player in history to score against 40 different oppositions.
Benfica and PSG went head-on in a fascinating, engaging tussle with the highlights featuring top performances by goalkeepers Gianluigi Donnarumma and Odysseas Vlachodimos. When the match kicked off in the beginning, the hosts turned out to be quite a handful for the Ligue 1 outfit and would have almost taken the lead had it not been for the brilliance of the latter’s goalkeeper.
Eventually, the crucial breakthrough that PSG had hoped for arrived with Lionel Messi scoring a stunning opener inside the 22nd minute in unrestrained, quintessential Lionel Messi style and flair. The former Barcelona star provided the finishing flourish to a superb team move which featured Neymar and Mbappe, superbly curling the ball home into the back of the net from the edge of the Benfica penalty area. With this scintillating goal, the Portuguese club became the 40th different opponent the Argentine has scored against in the Champions League.
Unfortunately for the Parisian outfit, Messi’s solitary goal could not stand for long as an own-goal by Danilo in the 41st minute kept the scoreline level when the first half whistle was blown. With no goal being produced after that, both sides went home with a point each and are currently tied on seven points after three matches in their respective Group.