### Paris Saint-Germain Dominate Montpellier 5-1: Messi Stars with Hat-Trick and Assist
In a thrilling match that saw the leaders of Ligue 1 take on their lower-tier counterparts Montpellier, Paris Saint-Germain emerged victorious with a commanding 5-1 victory over their opponents. The match was marked by a stellar performance from Lionel Messi, who scored a hat-trick and provided two assists for his team.
#### The Opening Scoring Move
The game began with a strong start for Paris Saint-Germain, as they quickly took control of the match. In the first half, Neymar Jr., one of the world's best forwards, delivered a perfect cross to Messi, who converted it into a goal in the 22nd minute. This early strike set the tone for the rest of the match and showed just how dominant PSG was in possession and possession control.
#### Messi's Golden Touch
Messi continued to shine throughout the game, showing his exceptional skills and ability to score goals. In the 48th minute, he collected a pass from Kylian Mbappe and finished it off with a stunning finish, widening the lead to 3-0. Just moments later, he added another goal when he received a through ball from Karim Benzema and calmly slotted it past the goalkeeper.
#### The Second Half: A Dominant Display
The second half saw Messi continue to be unstoppable, providing assists for both Kylian Mbappe and Edinson Cavani. In the 67th minute, he found Mbappe with a perfectly weighted pass, which the Brazilian forward easily converted to increase the score to 4-0. Just before halftime, he made it 5-0 by finding Cavani with a pinpoint shot, putting the game out of reach for Montpellier.
#### Final Moments
As the final whistle blew, Paris Saint-Germain celebrated their fifth consecutive league win, while Montpellier were left reeling in defeat. The match ended in a resounding 5-1 victory, with Messi once again proving why he is considered one of the greatest players in football history.
#### Key Statistics
- **Goals Scored**: Messi (3), Neymar Jr. (1), Kylian Mbappe (1), Edinson Cavani (1)
- **Assists Provided**: Messi (2), Mbappe (1)
This victory not only secured the title for Paris Saint-Germain but also solidified Messi's position as the undisputed leader of Ligue 1. His performances have been instrumental in the club's success this season, and fans across Europe can look forward to more exciting matches featuring this formidable duo.