By Oyinlola Awonuga Balogun (The New Diplomat’s Entertainment, Fashion and Sports Desk)
Kylian Mbappe netted hat-trick as PSG completely outplayed Barcelona at the Camp Nou to take charge of their round-of-16 Champions League tie on Tuesday night.
Lionel Messi opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the first half after a trip on Frenkie de Jong by Layvin Kurzawa, but it was PSG who created the better of the chances throughout the game.
The PSG team who were the visitors deservedly equalised when Kurzawa and Marco Verratti combined to set up a chance and Mbappe’s quick feet and powerful finish left the Barca defence looking bemused as the ball nestled in the back of the net.
PSG carried on where they left off after the break and extended their lead when Mbappe slotted home his second of the night with just over an hour on the clock.
Moise Kean added the third, heading home unmarked from a free-kick, and Mbappe completed his hat-trick on 85 minutes with a sumptuous finish at the end of a blistering counter-attack.
The away win leaves PSG in complete control of the tie ahead of the second leg in Paris on March 10.
