Koreans in Europe: Lee Kang-in gets second Ligue 1 goal as Kylian Mbappe hat-trick lifts PSG to 6-2 win over Montpellier

Football

Published: 18 Mar. 2024, 10:50 Updated: 18 Mar. 2024, 17:58

Koreans in Europe: Lee Kang-in gets second Ligue 1 goal as Kylian Mbappe hat-trick lifts PSG to 6-2 win over Montpellier

Paris Saint-Germain's Lee Kang-in celebrates scoring the team's fourth goal with Kylian Mbappe at Stade de la Mosson in Montpellier, France on Sunday. [REUTERS/YONHAP]

Ligue 1 leaders Paris Saint-Germain crushed Montpellier 6-2 with plenty of style at the Stade de la Mosson in Montpellier, France on Sunday to move the Paris side 12 points clear at the top-tier French football league.

Despite ending the first half in a draw, it was a rush of goals for PSG in the second that saw a Kylian Mbappe hat-trick and goals from Lee Kang-in and Nuno Mendes to cap off an early Vitinha opener.

“I thought from the first day that I came here that I am a lucky guy because I have unbelievable players with enormous quality,” PSG manager Luis Enrique said after the match.

The visitors got off to a strong start, with a long pass from Kylian Mbappe on the left finding Vitinha in the center, who opened the scoring in the 14th minute.

Mbappe got involved again in the 22nd minute, moving the ball down the left side of the pitch with help from Kolo Muani before crossing the ball over to the right and into the net.

Paris Saint-Germain's Kylian Mbappe scores the team's second goal at Stade de la Mosson in Montpellier, France on Sunday. [REUTERS/YONHAP]

Montpellier were quick to respond, midfielder Arnaud Norbin putting one back with a header in the 30th minute to get the home side on the scoresheet. Montpellier forward Teji Savanier got the equalizer after a successful stoppage time penalty to end the first half 2-2.

But that was it for Montpellier on the scoresheet, the visitors overpowering them on the pitch through the end.

It was Mbappe again in the 50th minute to put PSG in the lead, making things 3-2.

Lee Kang-in followed with a header just three minutes later to win back a comfortable two-goal gap. It was Lee’s second Ligue 1 goal of the season and his first since November — also in a game against Montpellier, which PSG won 3-0.

Montpellier's Teji Savanier, third from left, fights for the ball with Paris Saint-Germain's Lee Kang-in during the match at Stade de la Mosson in Montpellier, France on Sunday. [AFP/YONHAP]

Mbappe scored again, getting his hat-trick after an assist from Vitinha to make things 5-2 before defender Nuno Mendes capped things off with a goal in the 89th minute to seal one of PSG’s biggest wins of the season.

“They were great goals, all of them,” Enrique said after the match. “I think we are trying to prove all the teams are our rivals.”

No. 1 PSG next play No. 7 Marseille on March 31 at the Stade Velodrome in Marseille, France following a FIFA international break.

Lee is headed back to the Korean national squad for two 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Thailand on March 21 and 26, their first games under interim manager Hwang Sun-hong.

BY MARY YANG [mary.yang@joongang.co.kr]