An imperious PSG come away from the Stade Gabriel Montpied with all three points after a convincing display, beating Clermont Foot by five goals to nil.
After the restart, the hosts did very little to try and claw back the steep half-time deficit, failing to muster a shot on target or trouble Donnarumma.
It looked as PSG would take their foot off the gas in the late stages and see out the win.
But brilliance from Messi extended the winning margin by two with 10 minutes to go.
First, a simple tap-in assisted by Neymar before an awe-inspiring overhead kick sealed the emphatic result for the visitors.
Starting lineup:
CLERMONT XI (3-4-3): Mory Diaw;
Florent Ogier, Alidu Seidu, Mateusz Wieteska;
Neto Borges, Johan Gastien, Maxime Gonalons, Elbasan Rashani;
Muhammed-Cham Saracevic, Komnen Andric, Jim Allevinah.
PSG XI (3-4-3): Gianluigi Donnarumma;
Sergio Ramos, Marquinhos, Presnel Kimpembe;
Achraf Hakimi, Vitinha, Marco Verratti, Nuno Mendes;
Pablo Sarabia, Lionel Messi, Neymar.
Goals:
PSG OPEN THE SCORING! 1-0! It has taken less than 10 minutes for the champions to go ahead in their first league match of the season as Sarabia drives to the byline before cutting a cross back to the edge of the 18-yard box. Messi meets it with a deft touch to flick it to Neymar, who slots it into the corner of the goal!
HAKIMI DOUBLES THE LEAD! 2-0! It’s a great goal from the wing-back, who explodes into space on the counter-attack, getting on the end of Neymar’s leading pass before entering the penalty area and smashing a shot high into the roof of the net!
MARQUINHOS MAKES IT THREE! 3-0! It’s a simple goal for the PSG captain, who makes the late run to get on the end of Neymar’s free-kick, nodding it past Diaw from seven yards away!
MESSI MAKES IT FOUR! 4-0! It could not have been easier for the Argentina international, who slaloms through midfield in trademark style before presenting the ball to Neymar and continuing his run. After executing a step-over to earn some room the number 10 returns it to Messi for the tap-in!
5-0! Despite his sustained brilliance, Messi still finds new ways to entertain, getting into the penalty area and chesting down Paredes’ lifted pass before executing an overhead kick to beat Diaw.
So, what’s next?
Clermont Foot travel to play Reims next Sunday, while PSG host Montpellier on Saturday.