Messi hits brace as PSG beat RB Leipzig to go top

Lionel Messi scored a second-half brace to help Paris Saint-Germain to a 3–2 victory over RB Leipzig in the Champions League on Wednesday night.

The win sent PSG to the top of Group A – a point above Manchester City, who trashed Club Brugge 5–1 in an earlier encounter.

Kylian Mbappe had given PSG the lead inside the opening nine minutes, but Leipzig drew level in the 28th minute through Andre Silva before going in front in the 57th minute.

Messi would equalise 10 minutes later before putting his side in front with a well-taken penalty in the 74th minute – his third goal for his new club across all competitions.

The defeat leaves Leipzig bottom of the group without a point, while Club Brugge, who suffered a heavy loss at home to Man City, are third with four points.

Away in Spain, Liverpool defeated Atletico Madrid 3–2 at the Wanda Metropolitano, thanks to a brace from the in-form Mohamed Salah and a stunning strike from Naby Keita.

Atletico had fought back from 2–0 down to level matters, courtesy of strikes from Antoine Griezmann. But the French forward went from hero to villain as he was red-carded in the second half for a high boot on Firmino.

Elsewhere, 13-time winners, Real Madrid took Shakhtar Donetsk apart 5–0, while Inter Milan beat Moldovan side Sheriff Tiraspol 3–1.