UEFA Champions League: Ibrahimovic scripts classy win for PSG

Monitoring Desk

LONDON, England (TheSportsNEXT) November 7, 2012: Zlatan Ibrahimovic had a hand in all four goals as Paris Saint-Germain thrashed UEFA Champions League whipping boys Dinamo Zagreb 4-0 tonight, FIFA’s official website reported.

The home side bounced back in perfect style from their first domestic defeat of the season at the weekend with a convincing win in the French capital.

Ibrahimovic had been sent off in the 2-1 home defeat to St Etienne, but thankfully for Carlo Ancelotti's side the Swedish international remained eligible for European competition and was a highly influential figure despite not getting on the scoresheet.

The home side had the first chance with just 75 seconds on the clock when Maxwell's free-kick was headed wide by Ezequiel Lavezzi from just six yards out. At the other end, Josip Pivaric shot wide from 12 yards but clear chances were few and far between until PSG took the lead after 16 minutes when Ibrahimovic produced a perfect cross from the right for Alex to turn the ball home from 12 yards.

Adrien Rabiot then fired wide from a similar range as PSG went in search of a second goal, which they came close to securing nine minutes from the interval. A corner from Jeremy Menez was not fully cleared and when the ball fell to Thiago Silva, his close-range goalbound header was brilliantly blocked by Dinamo goalkeeper Ivan Kelava.

The visitors attempted to get back on level terms after the break through a header from Ante Rukavina that sailed harmlessly over the bar, but the game was effectively over as a contest on the hour mark.

Ibrahimovic was again the provider with a pass from the left that Blaise Matuidi slotted into the back of the net, a move which was repeated five minutes later for Menez to this time benefit from his Swedish team-mate's supply to make it 3-0.

Yet another Ibrahimovic assist saw Guillaume Hoarau complete the rout 20 minutes from time as PSG moved onto nine points, one behind Group a leaders Porto who were held 0-0 at Dynamo Kiev. 

Dinamo Zagreb continue to prop up the standings with no goals and no points from four games.