Neymar scores hat-trick as PSG steamroll Red Star Belgrade

After dropping points at Anfield, Thomas Tuchel’s PSG side made no mistake against Red Star Belgrade.

PSG opened the scoring thanks to an exquisitely-taken free-kick by Brazilian international Neymar. The 26-year-old executed a brilliant free kick from 21 yards out, beating the wall and a despairing Borjan in the Red Star Belgrade goal.

Two minutes later he got his second. After neat interplay in midfield Neymar found space on the edge of the box and played in Kylian Mbappe down the right. The French youngster did well to charge into the box and stand up a cross to PSG's number 10. Neymar made no mistake with the finish, shooting high into the net on the volley. This set the precedent for the match, as PSG ran riot.

Despite the unquestionable skill in the PSG front three, there was an element of luck with PSG’s third goal. Cavani did well to turn inside two defenders and get a shot away with his left foot, however this took a huge deflection and bobbled over the line. There was little that Borjan could do to prevent the goal, however he will be far from pleased with his side's woeful defending.

PSG ended a triumphant first 40 minutes with their fourth goal of the half. A cross comes in from Meunier and Di Maria arrived well to meet the cross with a sublime flick into the corner. 

The Red Star Belgrade goalkeeper, Milan Borjan, conceded more goals in the first 40 minutes then had had in his last nine appearances for the Serbian side, however his luck did not improve in the second half.

Mbappe went close throughout the game, and a goal was inevitable for the youngster, who many are tipping to win the Golden Boy Award for the second consecutive year. He received help from the Man of the Match, Neymar. Despite his FIFA The Best, and likely Ballon d’Or snub, when Neymar is in this sort of form, there aren't many better. He goes past one, two, three, four players before chipping a lovely chip to Bernat, who squared to Mbappe as the Frenchman got his deserved goal.

Former Chelsea winger Marco Marin managed to score a consolation goal for the visitors, with only their second shot on target. He got in behind Thiago Silva and from a tight angle drove his shot past Alphonse Areola.

Moments later, Neymar scored his second PSG hat-trick. He skilfully curled his free kick past Borjan from 28 yards out, marking his second hat-trick for his new club. The Brazilian forward has now scored 38 goals in 40 appearances since joining from Barcelona.

The goal also had further historic significance. He has now equalled Brazil legend Kaka’s goal tally, scoring his 30th Champions League goal in 37 fewer games.