Mbappe, Neymar and Messi in fine form again as PSG crush Clermont to close in on title

French and Brazilian forwards score hat-tricks as Pochettino's side cruise to 6-1 win at Stade Gabriel Montpied

(From L) Paris Saint-Germain's Brazilian forward Neymar, Paris Saint-Germain's French forward Kylian Mbappe and Paris Saint-Germain's Moroccan defender Achraf Hakimi react during the French L1 football match between Clermont Foot 63 and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) at the Gabriel-Montpied stadium in Clermont-Ferrand, central France, on April 9, 2022. (Photo by THIERRY ZOCCOLAN / AFP)

Neymar celebrates with Lionel Messi after scoring for PSG against Clermont. AFP

Lionel Messi fights for the ball with Clermont midfielder Johan Gastien. AFP

Lionel Messi competes for the ball with Clermont defender Alidu Seidu and midfielder Johan Gastien. AFP

Clermont defender Alidu Seidu fights for the ball with Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe. AFP

Lionel Messi takes on Clermont midfielder Yohann Magnin. AFP

Kylian Mbappe celebrates with teammates after scoring for PSG against Clermont. AFP

Lionel Messi and Neymar celebrate a goal which is later disallowed for offside. Reuters

Lionel Messi attempts a pass to Kylian Mbappe during PSG's Ligue 1 match against Clermont. AFP

Neymar (L) celebrates with Kylian Mbappe after scoring completing his hat-trick against Clermont. AFP

Neymar celebrates after scoring a penalty for PSG against Clermont. AFP

Neymar celebrates with teammates after scoring a penalty for PSG against Clermont. AFP

It may have taken most of the season but Paris Saint-Germain's fearsome front three continued to click on Saturday night as Kylian Mbappe and Neymar both scored hat-tricks in the 6-1 thrashing of struggling Clermont.

Mbappe, who has still not decided whether he will stay at PSG beyond this season, scored twice and had three assists in last weekend's 5-1 rout of Lorient. He added another assist and won a penalty in this game as he moved to the top of the Ligue 1 goalscoring charts with 20 goals this season.

Mauricio Pochettino's men are now 15 points clear at the top of Ligue 1 and appear certain to regain the title with only seven games remaining.

Clermont remain in 17th spot, just one point ahead of Saint-Etienne who occupy the relegation play-off place.

PSG only have Ligue 1 left to play for this season after being knocked out of the Champions League by Real Madrid, but put in a second straight impressive performance with Mbappe, Neymar and Lionel Messi in fine form.

"The Messi-Neymar-Mbappe combination? The problem is that a lot of people don't listen, since the start of the season we have been saying that it takes time to create an understanding between them, not only on the pitch but also in the dressing room," said Pochettino.

PSG took the lead in the sixth minute as Mbappe caused havoc in the home defence with a driving run off the left wing. The ball eventually found its way to Messi, whose clever pass found Neymar and the Brazilian drilled the ball into the far corner.

PSG doubled their advantage inside 20 minutes as Messi collected his 12th league assist of the season. The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner volleyed the ball through for Mbappe, who prodded it past onrushing goalkeeper Arthur Desmas.

Clermont gave themselves hope of an unlikely comeback shortly before half-time as Jodel Dossou bundled in at the back post to finish off a fine team move.

The capital giants dominated possession after the restart but struggled to create many chances, and needed goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma to save Jason Berthomier's shot.

But the game was over as a contest with 20 minutes to play when Mbappe was brought down in the box by Akim Zedadka following a quick counter-attack and Neymar sent Desmas the wrong way from the spot.

Mbappe grabbed his second goal just a few minutes later, racing onto Neymar's brilliant pass to round Desmas and tap in.

PSG's front three combined for the fifth goal, as Neymar's back-flick found Messi, who played in Mbappe to curl a magnificent strike into the far corner.

The away side made it four goals in the space of 12 minutes with seven minutes remaining, as Neymar completed his first hat-trick since December 2020. He was indebted again to Mbappe, who ran clean through but unselfishly squared to give his teammate the easiest of finishes.

Rennes up to second

Earlier on Saturday, Rennes moved above Marseille into second place as a 3-2 victory at Reims boosted their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League.

Bruno Genesio's men are in front of Marseille, who host Montpellier on Sunday, on goal difference.

The top two qualify automatically for next season's Champions League group stage, with the third-placed side heading into the qualifying rounds.

Rennes have won six of their last seven league games to surge into contention, as Nice have slipped from the top three to fifth place after a poor run of results.

Benjamin Bourigeaud netted twice in four first-half minutes to give Rennes a two-goal half-time lead.

Martin Terrier made it 3-0 before the hour mark.

Rennes held on despite a late Reims rally with goals from Maxime Busi and Jens-Lys Cajuste, who netted a penalty just three minutes after his team-mate Moussa Doumbia had missed one.