(Football news) Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe scored twice while Neymar added another as Paris Saint-Germain thrashed Maccabi Haifa 7-2 at Parc des Princes to cruise into the Champions League last 16. The attacking trio each found the net to put PSG 3-0 inside just 35 minutes. Messi produced a sumptuous finish just before the interval to complete an eye-catching attacking display. In the second half, Mbappe beautifully curled in for his second goal before an own goal from Sean Goldberg and a seventh goal was scored by substitute Carlos Soler, thereby completing the rout.

Messi assisted the goals for Neymar and Soler and now has 11 goals and 12 assists in all competitions for PSG this season, already matching his last season goal tally from his disappointing first season in the French capital. The famous trio of Messi, Mbappe and Neymar also scored in the reverse fixture in Israel last month, which PSG won 3-1. Before Goldberg's own goal, PSG's past 19 UCL goals had been scored by the famous "MNM". There were some brief signs of a comeback with Maccabi Haifa defender Abdoulaye Seck able to find the goal with headers from two set pieces. PSG clinched their place in the Champions League knockout stage with a game to spare as they will face Juventus in their next match for the top spot.

PSG will now travel to Juventus knowing they need to win as Benfica face Maccabi Haifa to clinch the top spot in the group. Despite their heavy defeat, Maccabi remain on three points with Juve and will go into their last game hopeful of sealing a Europa League spot. Messi was denied a record-extending ninth Champions League hat trick by the crossbar but he then assisted Soler to wrap up the rout.

"I saw the players enjoy themselves, and that's very important," PSG coach Christophe Galtier said of the 4-3-3 system he employed. "I had to think about how our fantastic three players up front could express themselves as best as possible and that the system could be very important. It's very pleasant to train them, to see them play every day. For a coach, it's paradise."

"We caught Paris on a good day. The smallest slip in concentration against players like that and they can score or have a big chance," Maccabi defender Dylan Batubinsika said. We managed to score twice today, which is a positive, and we can still finish third in the group."

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