Neymar hits hat trick as PSG stroll home in resumed Champions League tie
almost 4 years in The Irish Times
Paris Saint-Germain 5 Istanbul Basaksehir 1
Neymar bagged a hat-trick as Paris St Germain topped Champions League Group H with a 5-1 home victory over Istanbul Basaksehir on Wednesday, a day after the game was suspended amid an alleged racist incident.
The PSG and Basaksehir players, as well as the three field referees, took a knee before kick-off one day after both teams walked off in protest after the Turkish side had accused the assistant referee of using a racist word against their assistant coach Pierre Webo.
Paris Saint-Germain forward Neymar celebrates after completing his hat-trick in the Champions League Group H match against Istanbul Basaksehir at the Parc des Princes. Photograph: Franck Fife/AFP via Getty Images
Neymar struck three times and Kylian Mbappe scored his first goals in the competition in a year as PSG, who had already qualified for the last 16, advanced from the group stage with 12 points, ahead of RB Leipzig thanks to their better head-to-head record against the German side.
Third-placed Manchester United will play in the Europa League last 32 after picking up nine points.
Basaksehir, who were eliminated from all European competitions before kick-off, finished with three points after Mehmet Topal claimed a consolation goal at en empty Parc des Princes.
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