Neymar and Cavani lead PSG to Celtic thrashing

Edinson Cavani and Neymar both scored braces as Paris Saint-Germain registered a thumping 7-1 Champions League win over Celtic at Parc des Princes.

The Scottish side were on the end of a 5-0 humbling in the reverse fixture two months ago, but might have allowed themselves to dream of a more memorable evening when Moussa Dembele gave them a shock lead after just 56 seconds.



That early goal only served to spark PSG’s heralded attacking triumvirate into life, though, as Cavani, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe scored four first-half goals to leave Brendan Rodgers’ side shell-shocked, effectively settling the game before the interval.

PSG eased up for most of the second half before a stunning late salvo added a deserved gloss to the scoreline. Marco Verratti added a fifth with a cool finish before Cavani bagged his second with a superb back-post volley, aided by a deflection off Kieran Tierney.

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The final word went to Dani Alves – the Brazilian firing home a stunning strike from 25 yards that crashed in off the post.

PSG are three points ahead of Bayern Munich at the summit of Group B and a draw against the Germans next month will be enough to top the group ahead of the last 16 stage.

The Ligue 1 leaders have now scored 24 goals in five games, seeing them comfortably overtake Borussia Dortmund’s record of 21 goals in last season’s group stage.

Meanwhile, Bayern Munich gave Celtic a huge boost in the race for a Europa League spot after running out 2-1 winners over Anderlecht.

Key Opta facts:
– PSG (24) have scored more goals in a single Champions League group stage than any other side ever.
– Celtic conceded seven goals in a European game for just the second time in their history – also 0-7 vs Barcelona in September 2016.
– The first five shots on target in this match resulted in five goals, four for PSG and one for Celtic.
– Edinson Cavani scored his 150th and 151st goals for PSG in what was his 216th appearance for the club in all competitions.
– Cavani has scored more goals in all competitions this season than any other player in Europe’s big five leagues (21 goals).
– Moussa Dembele’s opener vs PSG after 56 seconds was Celtic’s fastest ever goal in the Champions League.
– This goal was also the first Champions League goal PSG have conceded inside the first minute.
– Neymar (15) has been directly involved in more Champions League goals versus Celtic than against any other opponent (7 goals + 8 assists in 6 appearances).
– Neymar has scored as many Champions League goals as Rivaldo (27) – the only Brazilian with more is Kaka (30).
– Celtic have lost all four matches against Paris in European competition, conceding 16 goals and scoring just the one.