CMN trio shines, PSG wins big against Anderlecht

Cavani, Mbappe and Neymar all scored before Angel di Maria completed a 4-0 win for PSG at the Belgian champions' stadium.

Goals: Mbappe 3', Cavani 44', Neymar 66', Di Maria 88'

PSG's attacking trio has become a new concept as they have continuously scored and assisted their teammates. Outstanding individual skills, impressive speed and impeccable finishing ability have made 'CMN' a nightmare for any defense. After destroying Bayern Munich, they continued to dominate Group B of the 2017-2018 Champions League thanks to their victory over Anderlecht.

PSG's nuclear attack is helping them crush every opponent on the road this season, with Anderlecht being the latest victim. Photo: AP

Mbappe opened the scoring for the visitors in the third minute with a powerful shot from a tight angle, after a one-two with Marco Verratti. Goalkeeper Matz Sels could have done better than to intercept a cross from the young Frenchman. It was Mbappe’s eighth goal in the Champions League – more than any other teenager in history.

Mbappe was also given a chance to face Sels by a home defender, but this time his fake shot was caught. Then, Neymar's rebound shot went a few inches off target. The Belgian champions had more possession, but the chances were overwhelmingly in PSG's favor. Coach Unai Emery instructed his players to defend and counter-attack, relying on direct passes from Mbappe and Neymar.

After a few unsuccessful threats, PSG also doubled the gap before the break. Mbappe broke through and quickly passed to Neymar who rushed straight into the opponent's center. The Brazilian international scored a thunderous shot, leaving the goalkeeper unable to push the ball away, to the position where Mbappe was rushing in. The 18-year-old striker did not finish despite being in a favorable position, heading the ball to Cavani to put the ball into the net from a more favorable distance. The Uruguayan striker extended his scoring streak in the Champions League to seven matches, the third player to conquer this milestone, after Ruud van Nistelrooy and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Anderlecht tried their best but could not stop PSG's unruly trio, with their speed, technique and sharp coordination. The visitors did everything to allow Neymar to score in the second half. In the 66th minute, the 25-year-old won a free kick from 20 meters and fired under the wall for his ninth goal of the season.

The home side almost had a consolation goal in the 79th minute when captain Sofiane Hanni headed in a dangerous header that was saved by Alphonse Areola with his fingertips. Henry Onyekuru – now on Everton’s books – took the rebound but it hit the crossbar and went wide. There was a fourth goal, again for the visitors, with Di Maria scoring the final point with his signature chip, in a four-on-two situation.

Starting lineup:

Anderlecht: Sels; Dendoncker, Mbodj, Deschacht; Appiah, Kums (Josue 58), Trebel, Onyekuru; Gerkens, Teodorczyk, Hanni.

Not used: Beric, Boeckx, Bruno, Chipciu, Obradovic, Stanciu.

Yellow cards: Onyekuru, Teodorczyk

PSG: Areola; Dani Alves, Marquinhos, Kimpembe, Kurzawa; Verratti (Lo Celso 75), Motta (Draxler 71), Rabiot; Mbappe, Cavani (Di Maria 75), Neymar.

Do not use: Trapp, Berchiche, Meunier, Pastore.

Yellow cards: Motta, Mbappe

According to VNE