Neymar carried off before Messi free-kick clinches PSG’s 4-3 win over Lille

Lionel Messi scored a stunning free-kick in added time to earn Paris Saint-Germain a 4-3 comeback win over Lille and lift them eight points clear at the top of the Ligue 1 standings.

PSG, who have struggled for consistency since their return from the World Cup break, extended their lead over second-placed Marseille who travel to Toulouse later on Sunday.

Lille, who remain fifth, almost caught the hosts off guard within the opening 40 seconds when Timothy Weah’s low shot took a wicked deflection, but Gianluigi Donnarumma was down fast to save with his legs.

PSG quickly grew into the game after the early scare, with Messi hitting the target from a tight angle after being played through by Neymar.

Kylian Mbappé, making his first start after a two-week injury layoff, opened the scoring in the 11th minute with a brilliant piece of individual skill, ghosting past two opponents and squeezing a shot under keeper Lucas Chevalier.

“The match was not great, we made a lot of mistakes but we have shown that even when the context is not favourable, we can get through. We are a different team, we can get by all the time,” Mbappé told Prime Video.

Christophe Galtier’s side doubled their lead six minutes later when Neymar tapped in a Vitinha cross to finish off a flowing move.

However, Lille were far from passive as Jonathan David tested Donnarumma with a bullet header before Bafodé Diakité nodded home an André Gomes cross to pull one back in the 24th minute.

PSG suffered a blow early in the second half when Neymar was taken off on a stretcher with a suspected ankle injury.

Lille won a penalty after Marco Verratti tugged Tiago Djaló’s shirt and David coolly converted the spot-kick to level the scores.

Lille piled on the pressure and were