PARIS – Neymar got what proved to be the winning goal as Paris Saint-Germain breathed life into their Champions League campaign with a 2-1 victory over Liverpool on Wednesday that leaves last season’s runners-up dangerously close to an early exit.
Juan Bernat and Neymar scored to put PSG in control in the first half in the French capital, but a James Milner penalty on the stroke of halftime ensured this pivotal game remained in the balance until the death.
PSG knew a defeat here coupled with an unfavourable result in the night’s other Group C game could see the ambitious Qatar-owned club eliminated already, which would amount to little short of a catastrophe for them.
But instead it is Liverpool – beaten in each of their last five games away from Anfield in the Champions League – who now seem the more likely to miss out on the last-16.
Napoli beat Red Star Belgrade 3-1 on Wednesday, and Liverpool have to win by two goals at home to the Italians in a fortnight if they are to progress.
Such a regression in Europe would be a big blow to Liverpool, even if it could conceivably help Klopp’s side in their fight with Manchester City for the Premier League title.
Meanwhile, PSG head to Belgrade for their last game still needing to win to be certain of advancing to the knockout phase for a seventh straight season, but at least they have their fate in their hands.
PSG had been desperate to get Neymar and Kylian Mbappe back fit for this game after both had picked up injuries on international duty last week.
The Brazilian had come off with a groin problem eight days earlier, but he looked in the mood here, determined to deliver in PSG’s biggest Champions League game since they were knocked out by Real Madrid last season without him due to injury.
PSG had only won one of their previous seven games in the competition.
However, Jurgen Klopp’s side were completely overrun in the opening stages at the Parc des Princes.
Angel di Maria had forced a fine save from Alisson with a speculative, dipping volley before Paris went in front in the 13th minute.
Mbappe tried to square for Edinson Cavani, but the ball broke to Bernat, and the Spanish left back swept home on his right foot for his second goal in this season’s competition.
Marco Verratti was running the game in midfield, although the Italian was fortunate not to be sent off for a dangerous tackle on Joe Gomez midway through the first half.
PSG survived that let-off and went on to double their lead, thanks to a clearly wound-up Neymar.
The world’s most expensive player had been drawing fouls from opponents and whipping up a fervent home crowd before he burst down the left in the 37th minute, combining with Mbappe.
🇧🇷 Neymar 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/uABgWZuhzh
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) November 28, 2018
The French World Cup winner crossed low for Cavani, whose attempt was saved by Alisson, but Neymar followed in to convert the rebound.
Neymar’s 14th goal of the season should have ensured a comfortable cushion for the hosts at the break, but Liverpool were gifted a route back into the game in first-half stoppage time.
Di Maria needlessly brought down Sadio Mane just inside the area. Polish referee Szymon Marciniak did not initially give a penalty but then changed his mind, and Milner beat Gianluigi Buffon from 12 yards.
#ChampionsLeague RESULTS
PSG 2-1 Liverpool #PSGLIV
Borussia Dortmund 0-0 Club Brugge
FC Porto 3-1 Schalke
Atletico Madrid 2-0 Monaco
Lokomotiv Moscow 2-0 Galatasaray #UCL
— IOL Sport (@IOLsport) November 28, 2018
Marquinhos thought he had restored PSG’s two-goal lead within two minutes of the second half starting, but the offside flag denied him after he turned in a free kick.
Understandably given the high stakes, PSG sat back more and more as the game went on, although they still came closest to scoring again from a Marquinhos header, and their win was fully deserved.
. @ChampionsLeague last-16 teams so far:
Ajax Amsterdam, Roma, Atletico Madrid
Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Barcelona
Juventus, Manchester City, Manchester United
Real Madrid, Porto, Schalke #UCL
— IOL Sport (@IOLsport) November 28, 2018