In the absences of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe, Angel Di Maria stepped up to lead Paris Saint Germain to an easy 3-0 victory over Real Madrid on Wednesday, scoring twice. Thomas Meunier added the third late on summing up Real’s forlorn night.
No Neymar, no Mbappe, no Cavani but Paris St-Germain proved Wednesday that they still have others capable of winning big games.
Di Maria hailed as exceptional as he beat Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois at his near post to put PSG ahead in the 14th minute at the Parc des Princes, but it was his second goal just after the half-hour that really lit up the encounter.
The Argentine, who starred for Real for four years and won the Champions League with them in 2014 before moving to Manchester United, gave Courtois no chance with a left-footed shot from 20 yards out that arrowed into the corner.
“He was exceptional tonight. He is always dangerous,” PSG coach Thomas Tuchel told reporters after the match.
“Everyone was saying how we could win with all these players out but maybe that meant we were not the favourites and it can also help when you don’t feel too much pressure,” Tuchel added.
