Clermont 1-6 PSG: Mbappe & Neymar nets hat-tricks as Messi provides a hat-trick of assists

The trio were in scintillating form to leave PSG on the brink of regaining the Ligue 1 title with time to spare.

Paris Saint-Germain’s star-studded forward line-up achieved a hat-trick of hat-tricks as Clermont were put to the sword in a 6-1 thrashing on Saturday.

Kylian Mbappe, Neymar and Lionel Messi have not always clicked as many at Parc des Princes may have hoped when the Argentine joined last summer.

But they put on a vintage show at the weekend, with the former two each netting three times and Messi pitching in with a trio of assists.

Triple threat
PSG’s rout began early when Messi played in Neymar for the opener after just five minutes, though Clermont were furious the game was not stopped to treat a player in the penalty area who was down injured.

Messi turned provider again in the first half for Mbappe to double the advantage, with Neymar also contributing with a fine pass to play in the Argentine.

But it was after half-time that the visitors really hit top gear.

Neymar converted a 71st-minute penalty and, within a matter of seconds, laid on Mbappe’s second goal, before the France ace completed his hat-trick courtesy of another Messi assist.

And there was still time for him to complete his triple, finishing with seven minutes to go as Mbappe this time supplied the assist.

“It’s a shame that it’s only happening now,” Mbappe told Canal+ when asked about the late-blooming partnership.

“But there are a lot of circumstances and events that mean it’s only happening now. But we are three quality players and we try to give our best every time.

“Any regrets about the season? Life is like that, sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. We have had pain, but we must always be positive and show that we are a great club.”

The bigger picture
Saturday’s win moves PSG 15 points clear of nearest title challengers Rennes and Marseille, with the latter playing Montpellier later this weekend.

Mauricio Pochettino’s men could thus sew up the Ligue 1 crown in their next three matches should results go their way, reclaiming the title lost to Lille last season.

Mbappe, meanwhile, overtook Martin Terrier as the league’s top scorer with his hat-trick, now standing on 20 goals for the season.

And while Messi has not been his usual ruthless self in front of goal during this debut season, he in turn leads Ligue 1 in assists with 13 in just 18 starts.

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