In the early hours of Wednesday morning (26th), the UEFA Europa League Group H matches played out in a blowout. French giants
Paris Saint Germain
(PSG) locked up their place in the last 16 in the early rounds with a 7-2 thrashing at home to Israeli side Maccabi Haifa. The victory was a record-breaking performance by Argentinean star Misi, who proved his age by becoming the oldest player in the history of the UEFA Europa League to record two goals and two assists in a single game at the age of 35 years and 123 days.
Despite the difference in strength between the two teams, PSG took the lead soon after the start. In the 19th minute of the first half, Killian McBarbee sent in a pinpoint cross for Mace to score with a deft shot from the left side of the box, followed by another goal from McBarbee from the same spot.
PSG's offense came in waves, with an assist from Mays and an easy shot from Nima to extend the lead to 3-0. Although Maccabi Haifa defender Sikh pulled a goal back, Mays fired in another shot from outside the box to give PSG a 4-1 lead at the end of the first half.
In the second leg, Maccabi Haifa scored a brace from Sikh to bring the score to 2-4. However, PSG did not let up, as Kilian McBarbie and Carruthers Suna scored a goal each, and an oops goal from their rival, Goldberg, resulted in a 7-2 win for PSG.
Mez was voted Man of the Match for his outstanding performance. He is not only the oldest player in the history of the UEFA to reach two goals and assists in a single game, but also since his first participation in the UEFA Europa League in the 2004/05 season, he has scored from outside the penalty area in 23 matches, a statistic that surpasses Crowe and becomes the UEFA Europa League's "long-distance shooting king" in the same period.
In addition, Mays has amassed 80 goals in the UEFA Europa League group stage, the highest in the tournament's history, seven ahead of Cairo. In all competitions, Mays has scored 11 goals and contributed 12 assists this season, becoming the first player in Europe's top five leagues to reach double figures in both goals and assists.
What's even more remarkable is that, including national team and club matches, Mace is undefeated in his last 31 matches, with 25 wins and 6 draws, equaling the longest undefeated streak of his career, and deservedly becoming the King of the Ball today.
Meanwhile, Killian McBarbee showed great form in the game, contributing 2 goals and 2 assists, and was in the spotlight along with Mays.
