Neymar scored two goals as Paris Saint-Germain claimed a 2 – 0 victory over Lille to extend their lead at the top of Ligue 1 to 10 points.
Having opened the scoring with an amazing strike in the 28th minute of Sunday’s encounter at Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Neymar doubled his score with a penalty early in the second half.
After netting his 2nd goal, the Brazilian superstar appeared to pay tribute to Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, who was reported to have died in a helicopter crash on Sunday.
Lille felt harshly treated by the VAR for PSG’s second goal, though they were fortunate Mauro Icardi and Kylian Mbappe missed big chances to increase the visitors’ lead as their 14-match unbeaten home league run came to an end.
Luiz Araujo’s long-range effort forced Keylor Navas into a save nine minutes in as Lille started pretty strong.
But, a moment of brilliance from Neymar gave PSG the lead, the Brazilian star combining with Marco Verratti before curling the ball into the top-right corner.
Mbappe could have made it 2-0 if not for Gabriel’s block, but Lille might have been level had Presnel Kimpembe not got a toe to Victor Osimhen’s shot.
With Tanguy Kouassi having denied Osimhen a tap-in, Mike Maignan made a brave stop to keep out Mbappe at the other end moments later. PSG were awarded a penalty for a handball by Reinildo. Lille’s frustration was founed by the VAR not deeming there to have been a foul by Idrissa Gueye in the build-up, before Neymar squeezed the penalty beyond Lille’s goalie.
Icardi could have done better with a poor header and Mbappe failed to score as PSG looked to add to their lead, but the visitors settled for a two-goal lead, while Loic Remy saw a stoppage-time consolation disallowed for offside.