Alvarez opened the scoring in the 13th minute thanks to some terrific work from Lautaro Martinez, who was able to snake his way into the box, beating multiple defenders to get to the touchline and drag one back along the edge of the six-yard box for a simple tap-in.
Argentina continued to create half-chances throughout the remainder of the first half, and it was more of the same to begin the second 45, with Martinez going close after a slick one-touch pass from Alexis Mac Allister gave him some space inside the box, but he pushed his shot wide of the far-post.
Lionel Messi was subbed on in the 56th minute, and just 10 minutes later he had his first chance after a one-two on the edge of the area allowed him to break into the left-hand side of the box, but his shot from a sharp angle was easily thwarted at the near post.
But fans in attendance would get what they came for in the 87th minute, when Messi picked up a deflected pass just outside the penalty area and fired his left-foot shot hard and low across his body into the bottom-right corner.
Just two minutes later Argentina were awarded a free kick in the same spot, and Messi again converted, this time around the wall into the bottom-left corner.
What does it mean? Argentina now two games away from history
With this result, Argentina are now unbeaten in their past 35 games dating back to their loss in the 2019 Copa America semi-final against Brazil.
Italy holds the record at 37 games without a loss – which they set just last year. Argentina's next two games will be in the World Cup against Saudi Arabia and Mexico, and if they make it through unscathed, they will play Poland for the new record.
Messi the super sub
Despite only playing 35 minutes, Messi led all players with five shots, four shots on target and three successful dribbles. Only Alvarez (three) created more chances than Messi's two, and he scored two goals for his second consecutive international fixture after also netting a double against Honduras this past weekend.
Reid struggles with Argentinian physicality
Bobby Reid had a difficult outing down the left-hand side, being credited with only two duels won from 11 tries – the lowest percentage on the pitch. He also had a passing accuracy of 77 per cent, which was one of the lowest marks from either side, while attempting no shots and creating no chances.
What's next?
Argentina will take their unbeaten streak into the World Cup, where they will play Saudi Arabia first up. Jamaica do not have any fixtures scheduled until March's CONCACAF Nations League.
France has been hit hard by coronavirus, reporting more than 37,500 cases and 2,314 deaths.
The Ligue 1 season was suspended on March 13, with PSG sitting 12 points clear atop the table.
Di Maria admitted it was a scary time, with France's nationwide lockdown extended until mid-April.
"It is something crazy that we are experiencing," he told Telefe on Saturday.
Di Maria added: "We're trying not to do many things, [staying] at home. For our daughters we don't want to get infected.
"I go to the supermarket a lot. I have a normal life because people are respectful. It was only my wife once, she took off all the clothes at the door before entering the house and went to bath.
"You are a little scared of everything. The situation you look at and hear scares you."
PSG were last in action on March 11, beating Borussia Dortmund to reach the Champions League quarter-finals.
Di Maria has been in sensational form in 2019-20, scoring 10 goals in all competitions and providing a division-high eight assists in Ligue 1.
It could easily have been different for Di Maria, who has confirmed he was debating leaving PSG in 2018 before a talk with Tuchel convinced him to stay at the Parc des Princes.
The 31-year-old is out of contract in 2021 and, though discussions over a new deal have not yet begun, he hopes to end his time in European football with PSG before possibly returning to Argentina to see out his playing days.
"I haven't spoken to anyone in the club [about a renewal]," said Di Maria.
"I am not really thinking about that now, I still have a year ahead of me. I am very confident. I keep working.
"I said that I want to end my career in Europe here at PSG and I am very happy here. Then, maybe I will see if I want to play in Argentina again."
Di Maria added that Tuchel is one of the coaches who has had the most faith in him.
"He has shown me a lot of trust and has given me confidence. He talked to me in Barcelona before the World Cup in 2018," he said.
"He really tried to convince me to stay at PSG and I think this is why I decided to stay. My family and I were feeling good.
"It has been hard because [former PSG coach Unai Emery] said I was going to play and I didn't, which hurt as a player.
"But the coach gave me 100 per cent trust. I think I had a few coaches like that, they all gave me trust and this is a very nice thing."
Tuchel, meanwhile, is thrilled to have a player of Di Maria's quality at his disposal.
"It just works, I really like him. I have been watching him for a few years and at Real Madrid, I was a huge fan," said the German.
"The way he is when he plays football, he is reliable, he doesn't quit, he works for the team. He is the first one to arrive at the training centre. He is really competitive and tries everything to be decisive.
"He is working a lot and is a super professional, a great guy. We talked for the first time in Barcelona and for me, it was like a spark. Since the beginning, we found a chemistry.
"I am really happy that he changed his mind, that he stayed, gained confidence and he found his quality again because he is a really important player for PSG.
"He could play in every team in the world. Sometimes, you have to calm him down in order to avoid doing too much, but our relationship is great."
The winger played a starring role as La Albiceleste claimed their third world crown on Sunday, beating France on penalties in an epic final.
Di Maria was fouled for the penalty from which Lionel Messi opened the scoring, before doubling Argentina's lead himself following a stunning counter-attack.
The Juventus man was substituted with his side in control, although they ultimately required a shoot-out to defeat France 4-2 after a 3-3 draw.
Argentina's celebrations still have not ceased, and Di Maria now has a permanent reminder of the biggest win of his career.
The 34-year-old shared with his 22.9 million Instagram followers footage from his visit to tattoo artist Ezequiel Viapiano, who produced a huge sketch of the World Cup on his right thigh.
It is not the first time Di Maria has celebrated success by adding to his vast display of personalised ink.
Indeed, a tattoo of the Copa America trophy occupies his left thigh after Argentina's 1-0 victory over Brazil in last year's final, in which his goal ended his nation's 28-year wait for major silverware.
The Argentina international settled the opening leg at the Allianz Stadium when he powered home Filip Kostic's 53rd-minute cross for his fourth goal in this season's competition.
Di Maria, who also netted a hat-trick against Nantes in the previous round, has now been directly involved in seven goals in his last six European appearances.
The 35-year-old endured an injury-hit start to life in Turin after signing a 12-month deal last July, but has already registered 10 goal involvements in 2023 (seven goals, three assists).
Bruno Fernandes and Toulouse's Branco van den Boomen are the only other midfielders in Europe's top five leagues to hit double figures in the calendar year.
Di Maria's future is uncertain, but he said negotiations to extend his stint with Juve are ongoing.
"I'm happy to have helped the team, we are doing a good job and we must continue like this," he told Sky. "The important thing was to win, and we did it.
"We will do our best [to reach the final of this competition]. We will try to win both the Coppa Italia and the Europa League.
"We're talking, I'm happy here, and I'm finally feeling the affection of the people after a difficult start."
Allegri also hailed Di Maria's impact, while saluting his side's display ahead of the second leg in Germany next week.
"Tonight, [Di Maria] scored a wonderful goal but, above all, he gave an extraordinary performance.
"We played a very good match tonight, with great intensity and good technically. The only thing we missed too many times was the last pass. We could have chosen better and that made the difference.
"In Freiburg, it won't be easy, but the thing that makes me think positive is that they will give us spaces, and we will have to exploit them."
Di Maria, 34, joined Rosario as a four-year-old, spending the next 15 years with the club before a starring performance in the Under-20 World Cup saw Benfica come knocking.
His move to Benfica was the beginning of a remarkable European career, where he proceeded to play for Real Madrid, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain before landing in Italy with Juventus.
Despite all his success in Europe, Di Maria spoke about his desire to return to his roots in an interview with former player Ezequiel Lavezzi, who represented Argentina on the international stage 51 times between 2007 and 2016.
"I'd like to go back to Rosario," he said. "I know it's difficult... but it's as I always say – the dream of all those in Argentina is to come and play in Europe, mine is to return one day to wear the Rosario Central shirt.
"It's reality, I've always said it. If I get the chance, I'd love to."
Rosario currently sit 19th in the 28-team top division in Argentina, and with little spending power, it would require a massive pay cut to become a reality.
Lukaku and Immobile are two of the form front men in European football, and the duo have earned recognition following their latest goalscoring exploits.
Inter striker Lukaku grabbed both goals in a 2-0 away win at Udinese on Sunday.
And Immobile matched that haul as Lazio thrashed SPAL 5-1, the Italy international's brace taking his 2019-20 league tally to 25 already.
The duo are far from the only big names in this week's selection, however, with Roberto Firmino, Jadon Sancho and Hugo Lloris also among the new in-form cards.
Find the full squad below.
TEAM OF THE WEEK
GK: Hugo Lloris (Tottenham) - 89
CB:Matthijs de Ligt (Piemonte Calcio/Juventus) - 87
LB: Alex Telles (Porto) - 87
CB:Yerry Mina (Everton) - 84
CM: Daniel Parejo (Valencia) - 88
RM: Angel Di Maria (Paris Saint-Germain) - 88
CAM: Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund) - 87
CM: Santi Cazorla (Villarreal) - 86
CF: Roberto Firmino (Liverpool) - 88
ST:Ciro Immobile (Lazio) - 90
ST: Romelu Lukaku (Inter) - 88
SUBSTITUTES
GK:Steve Mandanda (Marseille) - 83
CB:Kaan Ayhan (Fortuna Dusseldorf) - 81
RM:Robert Snodgrass (West Ham) - 81
ST:Francesco Caputo (Sassuolo) - 84
RW:Daniel Ginczek (Wolfsburg) - 82
ST:Kasper Dolberg (Nice) - 81
LW:Oussama Idrissi (AZ) - 81
RESERVES
CM:Alexandru Maxim (Gaziantep) - 79
CM: Alexandru Cicaldau (Universitatea Craiova) - 78
LM: Ahmet Engin (Duisburg) - 76
LM: Nathan Thomas (Carlisle United) - 74
LW: Said Benrahma (Brentford) - 80
Lionel Scaloni's men beat France 4-2 on penalties after a thrilling 3-3 draw in the World Cup final in December as Lionel Messi won international football's premier tournament for the first time in his decorated career.
The Paris Saint-Germain star is set to add to his 172 appearances for Argentina after he was named in Scaloni's squad for the friendlies with Panama and Curacao later this month.
But a fellow forward looks likely to play for La Albiceleste for the first time, with Garnacho's excellent form since breaking into the United squad this season earning him a maiden call-up.
The 18-year-old has registered eight goal involvements in 27 appearances in all competitions for the Red Devils this term, becoming an important part of their squad as they enjoy a successful first season under Erik ten Hag.
Angel Di Maria is named in the 35-man squad after scoring Argentina's second in the World Cup final, while shoot-out hero Emiliano Martinez also features.
Martinez's Aston Villa team-mate Emiliano Buendia is included while Enzo Fernandez, who joined Chelsea from Benfica in the January window for a British-record £106.8million (€120.6m), retains his place.
Argentina squad: Franco Armani (River Plate), Geronimo Rulli (Ajax), Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa); Juan Foyth (Villarreal), Gonzalo Montiel (Sevilla), Nahuel Molina (Atletico Madrid), Nehuen Perez (Udinese), German Pezzella (Real Betis), Cristian Romero (Tottenham), Nicolas Otamendi (Benfica), Lisandro Martinez (Manchester United), Nicolas Tagliafico (Lyon), Marcos Acuna (Sevilla), Lautaro Blanco (Elche); Leandro Paredes (Juventus), Guido Rodriguez (Real Betis), Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea), Maximo Perrone (Manchester City), Exequiel Palacios (Bayer Leverkusen), Rodrigo De Paul (Atletico Madrid), Facundo Buonanotte (Brighton and Hove Albion), Thiago Almada (Atlanta United), Giovani Lo Celso (Villarreal), Alexis Mac Allister (Brighton and Hove Albion), Valentin Carboni (Inter); Angel Di Maria (Juventus), Angel Correa (Atletico Madrid), Emiliano Buendia (Aston Villa), Lionel Messi (Paris Saint-Germain), Paulo Dybala (Roma), Lautaro Martinez (Inter), Julian Alvarez (Manchester City), Alejandro Garnacho (Manchester United), Nicolas Gonzalez (Fiorentina), Alejandro Gomez (Sevilla).
Juve registered a whopping 20 shots at the Allianz Stadium, where Di Maria's second-half header Bianconeri gave them a slender lead in the tie.
The Argentina international continued to shine in this competition, having netted a hat-trick against Nantes in the previous round.
Freiburg, who saw their five-match unbeaten streak halted, must come from behind when the teams recommence battle in Germany next week.
Massimiliano Allegri's decision to drop Paul Pogba from the squad for disciplinary reasons dominated the build-up to what was Juve's first Europa League showdown against German opposition since they faced Borussia Dortmund in the 1994-95 semi-finals.
Pogba's fellow France international Adrien Rabiot almost opened the scoring when he drew smart reflexes out of Mark Flekken, who also kept out Juan Cuadrado's free-kick.
Bremer then somehow failed to find an open goal in the 31st minute, the defender heading over Di Maria's deep corner from just two yards out, while Cuadrado stung Flekken's palms once more before the break.
Juve eventually made the breakthrough eight minutes into the second half, when Di Maria powered home a header from Filip Kostic's centre.
Freiburg thought they had responded in the 62nd minute but, following a consultation with the VAR, Lucas Holer's wonderful volley was ruled out as Matthias Ginter handled in the build-up.
Vincenzo Grifo was then marginally off target with a free-kick that represented the visitors' only recorded attempt on goal, as the Serie A side saw out a narrow victory.
Di Maria scored the only goal as the Bianconeri drew first blood in the opening leg of the Europa League last-16 tie, thumping home a header from Filip Kostic's 53rd-minute cross.
Following his hat-trick against Nantes in the previous round, the World Cup winner has now been directly involved in 10 goals in 2023 (scored seven, assisted three).
The 35-year-old revealed he is in talks with Juve over extending his 12-month contract, which expires at the end of the season, and Locatelli hailed his team-mate's influence on the side.
"Angel is a phenomenon, he's in another category, I think he's really a champion," the midfielder said. "For us, it's an honour to have him with us in training and in the game. We have to be thankful that he is here.
"We are only 1-0 up, today was only the first half, we must play a mature game there [in Freiburg next week]. The 1-0 may be enough, but we have to go there and play a great game.
Although they lead, Juventus will feel their advantage should be greater, having converted just one of their 20 shots on goal during the first leg.
Head coach Massimiliano Allegri has urged his players to demonstrate a greater clinical edge, though he also encouraged Dusan Vlahovic to stay patient with the striker now having gone five matches without finding the net.
"We have to improve in the number of goals scored," Allegri said. "We create enough, the [conversion] percentage is low. We need lucidity when we attack the area, we have to improve.
"I'm happy because physically Dusan is much better, he has to be calm. Maybe on Sunday [against Sampdoria], he will score."
Our latest dive into the data of 2019-20 sees us look at the best playmakers in Europe's top-five leagues before the season was called to a halt.
We've deliberately broadened our approach to what constitutes a playmaker here – Gerard Pique doesn't often appear as a number 10, unless Barca are in real trouble – as the idea is to offer a wider consideration of those players who generally use the ball better than most when in possession.
To that end, we've looked at 12 different metrics to come up with the top performers of the campaign, again from among those to make at least 10 league appearances.
While some stars are not exactly strange to see in the list below, there is a handful of more surprising names, too...
THE TOP PLAYMAKERS IN EUROPE'S TOP-FIVE LEAGUES 2019-20:
BUNDESLIGA:
Most successful passes: Sven Bender (1,766)
Highest passing accuracy: Axel Witsel(94.1 per cent)
Most successful passes, opposition half: Joshua Kimmich (873)
Highest passing accuracy, opposition half: Axel Witsel (92.2)
Most passes ending in final third: Jadon Sancho (576)
Highest passing accuracy ending in final third: Axel Witsel(88.4 per cent)
Most chances created: Christopher Nkunku(65)
Most big chances created: Thomas Muller (24)
Most assists: Thomas Muller (16)
Most assists from open play: Thomas Muller(15)
Most crosses/corners successful: Filip Kostic (71)
Highest crosses/corners accuracy (min. 10): Dennis Geiger (50 per cent)
LALIGA:
Most successful passes: Gerard Pique (1,688)
Highest passing accuracy: Toni Kroos (93.6 per cent)
Most successful passes, opposition half: Sergio Busquets (957)
Highest passing accuracy, opposition half: Toni Kroos (92.4)
Most passes ending in final third: Lionel Messi(698)
Highest passing accuracy ending in final third: Toni Kroos (90.3)
Most chances created: Jose Campana (58)
Most big chances created: Lionel Messi(22)
Most assists: Lionel Messi (12)
Most assists from open play: Portu and Lionel Messi (8)
Most crosses/corners successful: Jesus Navas(43)
Highest crosses/corners accuracy (min. 10): Benat (55 per cent)
LIGUE 1:
Most successful passes: Marco Verratti (1,581)
Highest passing accuracy: Thiago Silva (95.5 per cent)
Most successful passes, opposition half: Marco Verratti (956)
Highest passing accuracy, opposition half: Thiago Silva (92.8 per cent)
Most passes ending in final third: Angel Di Maria (543)
Highest passing accuracy ending in final third: Colin Dagba (86 per cent)
Most chances created: Dimitri Payet(87)
Most big chances created: Angel Di Maria(31)
Most assists: Angel Di Maria (14)
Most assists from open play: Angel Di Maria (10)
Most crosses/corners successful: Dimitri Payet(63)
Highest crosses/corners accuracy (min. 10): Marco Verratti(54.6 per cent)
PREMIER LEAGUE:
Most successful passes: Virgil van Dijk(2,209)
Highest passing accuracy: John Stones (94 per cent)
Most successful passes, opposition half: Rodri(1,069)
Highest passing accuracy, opposition half: John Stones (93.9 per cent)
Most passes ending in final third: Kevin De Bruyne(740)
Highest passing accuracy ending in final third: Ibrahim Amadou (93.3 per cent)
Most chances created: Kevin De Bruyne (96)
Most big chances created: Kevin De Bruyne (23)
Most assists: Kevin De Bruyne (16)
Most assists from open play: Kevin De Bruyne (14)
Most crosses/corners successful: Kevin De Bruyne (69)
Highest crosses/corners accuracy (min. 10): Christian Atsu (47.1 per cent)
SERIE A:
Most successful passes: Fabian Ruiz (1,488)
Highest passing accuracy: Marlon Santos (94.1 per cent)
Most successful passes, opposition half: Fabian Ruiz(932)
Passing accuracy, opposition half: Eljif Elmas (91.5 per cent)
Most passes ending in final third: Luis Alberto (723)
Highest passing accuracy ending in final third: Walace (89.7 per cent)
Most chances created: Luis Alberto (75)
Most big chances created: Luis Alberto (16)
Most assists: Luis Alberto (12)
Most assists from open play: Luis Albertoand Alejandro Gomez (9)
Most crosses/corners successful: Erick Pulgar (46)
Highest crosses/corners accuracy (min. 10): Armando Izzo(54.6 per cent)
AND THE TOP 12:
Most successful passes: Virgil van Dijk (2,209)
Highest passing accuracy: Thiago Silva (95.5 per cent)
Most successful passes, opposition half: Rodri (1,069)
Passing accuracy, opposition half: John Stones (93.9 per cent)
Most passes ending in final third: Kevin De Bruyne (740)
Highest passing accuracy ending in final third: Ibrahim Amadou (93.3 per cent)
Most chances created: Kevin De Bruyne (96)
Most big chances created: Angel Di Maria (31)
Most assists: Thomas Mullerand Kevin De Bruyne (16)
Most assists from open play: Thomas Muller (15)
Most crosses/corners successful: Filip Kostic(71)
Highest crosses/corners accuracy (min. 10): Benat (55 per cent)
Using Opta data, we have already examined some of the worst attacking numbers from 2019-20, so now it's the turn of those ball-playing technicians: the pass-masters.
We have analysed nine key metrics for outfield players to play in at least 10 league games this season, thereby giving us a good summary of those whose passing could use some improvement. Those metrics are focused on the number of passes (overall, in a player's own half and their opponent's half), the accuracy of those passes, corners and crosses, and losing possession.
As always when it comes to data, context is key. For instance, we have included overall accuracy percentages to give balance to the simple number of passes. A team's playmaker or set-piece taker, for example, is arguably more likely to have a larger number of misplaced passes than team-mates simply because he will be attempting more of them, and often in difficult areas.
It's also worth noting that the number of times possession has been lost excludes 'Hoofs' (which, by their nature, make losing the ball more common), while corner and crossing accuracy is taken only from those to attempt, on average, at least one per game.
That said, the below gives a good indication of some passing figures that need improvement - and there are one or two surprising names...
THE WORST PASSING STATS IN EUROPE'S TOP-FIVE LEAGUES 2019-20:
BUNDESLIGA:
Most passes failed: Robert Andrich (291)
Worst passing accuracy: Anthony Modeste (55.4 per cent)
Most passes failed, own half: Jamilu Collins (110)
Worst passing accuracy, own half: Kai Proger (60.5 per cent)
Most passes failed, opposition half: Sebastian Andersson (215)
Worst passing accuracy, opposition half: Anthony Modeste (42.1 per cent)
Most corners/crosses failed: Filip Kostic (199)
Worst corners/crosses accuracy (minimum 10): Wendell (0 of 22)
Most times possession lost: Filip Kostic (616)
LALIGA:
Most passes failed: Leandro Cabrera (352)
Worst passing accuracy: Enric Gallego (48.6 per cent)
Most passes failed, own half: Pervis Estupinan (94)
Worst passing accuracy, own half: Sergio Leon (57.1 per cent)
Most passes failed, opposition half: Joselu (283)
Worst passing accuracy, opposition half: Leandro Cabrera (43.5 per cent)
Most corners/crosses failed: Jesus Navas (134)
Worst corners/crosses accuracy (minimum 10): Karim Benzema (0 of 19)
Most times possession lost: Pervis Estupinan (534)
LIGUE 1:
Most passes failed: Issiaga Sylla (281)
Worst passing accuracy: Suk Hyun-jun (44.8 per cent)
Most passes failed, own half: Fabien Centonze (111)
Worst passing accuracy, own half: Suk Hyun-jun (50 per cent)
Most passes failed, opposition half: Andy Delort (238)
Worst passing accuracy, opposition half: Suk Hyun-jun (44.4 per cent)
Most corners/crosses failed: Mathieu Dossevi (142)
Worst corners/crosses accuracy (minimum 10): M'Baye Niang (0 of 11)
Most times possession lost: Angel Di Maria (539)
PREMIER LEAGUE:
Most passes failed: Trent Alexander-Arnold (480)
Worst passing accuracy: Christian Benteke (52.4 per cent)
Most passes failed, own half: Cesar Azpilicueta (132)
Worst passing accuracy, own half: Matej Vydra (50 per cent)
Most passes failed, opposition half: Trent Alexander-Arnold (359)
Worst passing accuracy, opposition half: Christian Benteke (48 per cent)
Most corners/crosses failed: Trent Alexander-Arnold (246)
Worst corners/crosses accuracy (minimum 10): Gabriel Martinelli (0 of 22)
Most times possession lost: Trent Alexander-Arnold (867)
SERIE A:
Most passes failed: Stefano Sabelli (324)
Worst passing accuracy: Lautaro Martinez (59.5 per cent)
Most passes failed, own half: Stefano Sabelli (94)
Most passes failed, opposition half: Stefano Sabelli (230)
Worst passing accuracy, own half: Florian Aye (58.5 per cent)
Worst passing accuracy, opposition half: Roberto Inglese (54 per cent)
Most corners/crosses failed: Erick Pulgar (134)
Worst corners/crosses accuracy (minimum 10): Kevin Lasagna (0 from 13)
Most possession lost: Stefano Sabelli (494)
AND THE TOP NINE:
Most passes failed: Trent Alexander-Arnold (480)
Worst passing accuracy: Suk Hyun-jun (44.8 per cent)
Most passes failed, own half: Cesar Azpilicueta (132)
Worst passing accuracy, own half: Suk Hyun-jun and Matej Vydra (50 per cent)
Most passes failed, opposition half: Trent Alexander-Arnold (359)
Worst passing accuracy, opposition half: Anthony Modeste (42.1 per cent)
Most corners/crosses failed: Trent Alexander-Arnold (246)
Worst corners/crosses accuracy (minimum 10): Wendell and Gabriel Martinelli (0 of 22)
Most times possession lost: Trent Alexander-Arnold (867)
Head coach Pochettino took PSG to Marseille for the first time since his return to the club.
It was a triumphant outing for the former Tottenham manager, who oversaw a 2-0 win thanks to goals from Kylian Mbappe and Mauro Icardi.
Mbappe said afterwards the fixture had "regained importance" this season, with Marseille having won at PSG early in the season in a game that saw five red cards.
There was only a single dismissal this time – Dimitri Payet sent off late on – but Icardi described the success as "revenge".
For Pochettino, though, who was not involved in the reverse fixture, a big derby merely made him pine for the return of crowds, still missing in Ligue 1 due to COVID-19.
Asked if the mammoth clash was as he remembered as a player, Pochettino replied: "No. I can't find much of the past.
"How beautiful football was before the COVID. It's missing.
"When we look elsewhere, in other championships, we see upsets in the table, surprise results. Some players will suffer, too.
"A club like Paris needs the supporters to sublimate itself and we miss having supporters in the stadium."
Pochettino's pre-match concerns were focused on Neymar's illness, which kept him from training ahead of the match and limited him to a bench role.
Afterwards, Angel Di Maria was the worry, having suffered an injury in assisting Mbappe's opener.
First, Pochettino defended Neymar's involvement despite his ill health, explaining: "I will respond with great respect. If the club communicated that he was sick, it was in total transparency.
"He had been vomiting. He was really sick. He only played 30 minutes because we thought it was better that way. There was really a desire for transparency on the part of the club."
Then, on Di Maria, the coach was hopeful of positive news.
"The medical department will be giving Angel some tests," he said. "For now, the staff are confident enough to say that it is not too serious but we must wait for the exams to know the exact severity of the injury."
