The 'CMN' trio thrives, PSG wins big in the opening match

Cavani, Mbappe and Neymar scored in turn, helping PSG beat host Celtic 5-0, starting smoothly their campaign to conquer the Champions League.

Goals: Neymar 19', Mbappe 34', Cavani 40' pen, 85', Lustig 83' own goal

PSG's $550 million-plus attack showed its irresistible power, handing the home team its heaviest defeat at Celtic Park in European competition. Celtic have faced a number of European giants, but fans cannot remember the last time they were crushed by such a heavy scoreline as this time against PSG.

The "CMN" trio of Cavani, Mbappe and Neymar showed terrible destructive power at Celtic Park. Photo: AFP.

Neymar was still the main striker of the team from the capital Paris, with a classy opening goal, as if the price of 263 million dollars was worth every penny. Not long after, the most expensive star in the world of football also set the table for Mbappe to score. Cavani, the main striker of PSG, did not stand idly by with a double in the remaining part of the match. Thereby, the Uruguayan striker rose to the top of the Champions League scoring list for the team at the Parc des Princes (22 goals).

Unai Emery brought his strongest team to Scotland. They quickly swarmed Celtic Park, with attackers coming from everywhere, including defenders like Dani Alves. Cavani had the ball in the net just 15 minutes into the game, but he was offside. It was a warning to Celtic, as if they hadn’t had enough pressure.

Four minutes later, the visitors changed the scoreboard. Captain Thiago Silva won the ball and quickly played it forward to Rabiot. The tall midfielder cleverly played a through ball through the middle for Neymar to use his speed to get past young defender Tony Ralston and chip the ball past goalkeeper Gordon.

Neymar is becoming the soul of PSG's playing style. Photo: Reuters.

Neymar was the key to PSG's second goal. From the middle, the Brazilian player passed the ball to the right and then made a smart run into the 16m50 box, receiving a cross from Verratti. Not being greedy to finish, Neymar passed the ball back inside for Mbappe to shoot close to the goal to double the gap. Celtic could only endure the match while PSG comfortably played practice in the remaining minutes.

Cavani was the main man of the moment. He earned a penalty and converted it five minutes before half-time. The Celtic crowd were frustrated and disappointed. One fan, who had lost control, ran onto the pitch with the intention of kicking Mbappe, but missed. This fan and Celtic will surely receive a heavy fine from UEFA, despite the humiliation PSG had endured.

Celtic’s desperation was highlighted by Lustig’s clumsy own goal in the 83rd minute, despite no pressure from behind. Two minutes later, Cavani sealed the 5-0 win with a diving header. The trajectory of the ball seemed to defy the laws of physics, but PSG’s thumping victory was a foregone conclusion.

Celtic were like spectators at their own home ground, helplessly watching PSG play leisurely as if they were playing a training game and pocketing all three points. Photo: Reuters.

After destroying Celtic, Emery's army took sole possession of the top spot in Group B, although Bayern also had a 3-0 home win over Anderlecht. Lewandowski, Alcantara and Kimmich were the ones who scored to give the "Gray Tigers" all three points.

Competition list

Celtic: Gordon, Simunovic, Ralston, Lustig, Tierney, Brown, Ntcham, Armstrong (Rogic 45'), Roberts (Forrest 78'), Sinclair, Griffiths (Edouard 69')

Unused subs: De Vries, Bitton, Ajer, McGregor

Yellow card: Simunovic, Ralston

PSG: Areola, Dani Alves, Thiago Silva, Marquinhos, Kurzawa, Verratti, Thiago Motta, Rabiot (Draxler 61'), Cavani, Neymar, Mbappe (Lo Celso 84')

Unused subs: Trapp, Kimpembe, Lucas Moura, Meunier, Yuri

Yellow card: Neymar

Referee: Daniele Orsato (Italy)

According to VNE