20-Year-Old “White Kanté” Shines! João Neves Scores Hat-Trick as PSG Beat Toulouse 6-3

On August 31, Paris Saint-Germain continued their perfect start to the 2025/26 Ligue 1 season with a 6-3 away victory over Toulouse, securing their third straight win to remain top of the table. The star of the night was 20-year-old Portuguese midfielder João Neves, who stunned the crowd with two bicycle-kick goals and a long-range strike to complete the first hat-trick of his career — living up to his nickname, the “White Kanté.”

PSG Dominant from the Start

Historically dominant over Toulouse with 9 wins in their last 12 meetings, PSG wasted no time asserting control. Just 7 minutes into the match, João Neves opened the scoring with a stunning overhead kick. Two minutes later, Fabián Ruiz assisted Bradley Barcola for a second. By the 14th minute, Neves struck again with another acrobatic finish, making it 3-0 for the reigning champions.

In the 31st minute, Ousmane Dembélé converted a penalty to extend the lead to 4-0. Toulouse managed to pull one back before halftime, but goalkeeper Chevalier made a crucial double save from the spot to keep PSG firmly ahead 4-1 at the break.

Neves Completes Career-First Hat-Trick

In the second half, PSG maintained their momentum. In the 51st minute, Barcola earned another penalty, which Dembélé calmly converted for his brace. Then in the 78th minute, Neves unleashed a powerful long-range strike from the edge of the box, curling into the top corner to seal his first-ever professional hat-trick.

Despite Toulouse scoring twice late on, PSG sealed a 6-3 win. PSG registered 13 shots with 8 on target, converting 6 of them. Neves himself had 4 attempts, 3 on target, scoring all 3 goals, with a 97% passing accuracy. He earned a perfect 10/10 rating, the highest of the match.

The Rise of a Midfield Star

For a defensive midfielder, scoring a hat-trick is a rare feat. After the game, Neves said humbly: “The victory is more important than my goals, but I will always remember my first hat-trick.” PSG coach Luis Enrique praised him highly: “It’s not just the three goals, but the incredible manner in which he scored them.”

Born in September 2004, Neves came through Benfica’s academy, playing 75 games with 4 goals and 3 assists before moving to PSG for nearly €60 million in the summer of 2024. At 1.74m, he lacks physical dominance, but his aggression and intelligence have made him indispensable. Last season, he played 59 matches with 7 goals and 10 assists, becoming a crucial figure in PSG’s historic treble (Ligue 1, French Cup, and Champions League).

Known for his contrast between a clean-cut look and an aggressive style, fans call him the “White Kanté.” With this hat-trick, Neves has sent a clear message: PSG are ready to defend their crowns, and he is set to be at the heart of it.