Messi and Mbappe combine to devastating effect as PSG cruise past Marseille

PSG strengthened their hold on top spot in Ligue 1 with a dominant 3-0 victory over Marseille thanks to a brace from Kylian Mbappe and a fine Messi finish.

Bragging rights were at stake at the Stade de Velodrome but more importantly, PSG were only five points above their hosts atop the table, making this arguably the biggest game of the Ligue 1 season so far. 

Nuno Tavares had the first attempt for Marseille and PSG can count themselves lucky that Nuno Mendes was there to produce a magnificent block. 

There was concern for PSG as Presenel Kimpembe was forced off after going down after a challenge.

Despite stifling PSG with their press, Marseille were punished when the visitors broke through 25 minutes in. A perfectly-weighted pass from Messi led to Mbappe finishing expertly into the bottom corner. 

PSG then doubled their advantage minutes later as a superb pass from Mbappe was met by an intelligent run from Messi, giving the Argentine a simple finish. 

Prior to the break, Messi and Mbappe both wasted golden opportunities with the visitors now cutting through the Marseille defence with ease.

After the restart,  Alexis Sanchez wasted a glorious chance after beating Gianluigi Donnarumma to a loose ball when the PSG keeper rushed out of his goal but his finish was wayward. 

There would be no such wastefulness at the other end, as Messi’s beautifully dinked pass teed up a sublime finish from Mbappe, who joined Edinson Cavani as PSG’s joint all-time top goalscorer on 200 goals.

The victory takes PSG eight points clear at the top of Ligue 1 and leaves Marseille's hopes of a first league title since 2010 looking very slim.