Benfica held PSG to a 1-1 draw at Estadio da Lux in Lisbon as an opening stunner from Lionel Messi could not salvage all three points for the Parisians.
Lionel Messi scored an absolute beauty in Lisbon against a hard-fighting Primeira Liga giants, Benfica, but the Parisians had to share the spoils, settling for a 1-1 draw.
An own goal by Danilo sealed the draw as the two sides, who have won their previous two matches in the group, settled for a draw.
A brilliant and clinical play saw PSG talisman Kylian Mbappe link up with Brazil international midway into the first half to deliver a perfect assist for Lionel Messi
The former Barcelona star then sent a curling left-foot finish from the edge of the box, leaving the Benfica goalkeeper eluded as the ball went into the net.
Lionel Messi hit another landmark record in his football career as he delivers another brilliant record again – becoming the first player to score against 40 different opponents in the history of the Champions League.
Nevertheless, the euphoria among PSG fans was short-lived as Benfica hit back with less than 4 minutes to play in the first half.
It was shock own goal from PSG defender Danilo. Enzo Fernandez had crossed the ball into the penalty area when it touched off Danilo and looped the ball into the net.
The match was a battle of the best teams in Group H after two matches. The two teams won their previous two matches and had garnered maximum 6 points before their clash on Wednesday.
They are now leveled on points after the draw at Lisbon, but PSG tops the group on goal difference.
They will meet again for the return leg at Parlc de Princes, when the French Ligue 1 giants will host their strongest opponents in the group.
In the other group match, Juventus overpowered Maccabi Haifa scoring three goals and conceding one to grab their first win in the group.
The Lisbon clash was the star clash in the group with many expectations from both teams as they battled each other in a fever-pitched stadium.
PSG find it difficult to pick their rhythm and failed to outplay the Portuguese giants when the game began, with series of orphaned passes recorded in the star-studded midfield.
Benfica’s high press in the opening minutes strangled PSG’s rhythm with the visitors defense bruised by mounting pressure.
Nevertheless, the PSG defense lived up to the bidding, keeping the rampaging Benfica forwards from scoring until the 41st minute.
Meanwhile, Lionel Messi’s moment of brilliance in the 22nd minute swung the Ligue 1 champions into the lead with their feared attacking trio involved in the goal.
In the build up to the goal, Lionel Messi made a run from the right, driving down the box. He located Mbappe, who found Neymar.
The Brazil playmaker then forward it again to Lionel Messi, who made it count with a great and beautiful finish to shot the visitors into the lead.
A strong case of DEJA VU 🔮👀
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) October 5, 2022
How many times have we seen this sort of finishing from Lionel Messi? 👇🥵
📺 Stream live: https://t.co/Tg69y0m5GD | #UCL pic.twitter.com/Q9uNMPri76
Lionel Messi has now scored a goal in six consecutive games for PSG and Argentina and this is the first time he has achieved the feat in four years.
The Parisians were on cause to control and dominate the game, but a defensive error with some shades of fortune for the hosts led to the equalizer in the 41st minute.
PSG came across an array of chances in the second half to regain their lead but failed to convert them as the game ended with both side sharing the spoils.
