x
Breaking News
More () »

Ibrahimovic scores hat trick as PSG beats Nice 4-1

PARIS (AP) — Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored a hat trick to take his tally to 30 French league goals as Paris Saint-Germain warmed up for its Champions League match against Manchester City by dealing to Nice 4-1 on Saturday.

Having already secured a fourth consecutive league title, PSG hosts the English Premier League club on Wednesday in the first leg of their quarterfinal.

PARIS (AP) — Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored a hat trick to take his tally to 30 French league goals as Paris Saint-Germain warmed up for its Champions League match against Manchester City by dealing to Nice 4-1 on Saturday.

Having already secured a fourth consecutive league title, PSG hosts the English Premier League club on Wednesday in the first leg of their quarterfinal.

Ibrahimovic, the league top-scorer, put PSG ahead from defender David Luiz's assist. He gave the hosts a 2-1 lead from a direct free kick after Hatem Ben Arfa leveled the score with a superb solo goal running through PSG's midfield and firing in from 20 meters out.

Luiz made it 3-1 after the interval, and Ibrahimovic sealed the win eight minutes from time with a clean finish, matching his best league season for goals.

"We played a good game ahead of Wednesday's European match against City," Ibrahimovic said. "It was a good preparation. We need to continue like this, with the same confidence, the same rhythm, and with a little bit of luck, we'll get there. Personally, I feel good. The team is doing magical things this season and I'm just following them. They play well, so I play well."

PSG, which has yet to advance past the Champions League quarterfinals since Qatari investors took over the club in 2011, increased its lead over Monaco to 25 points.

Nice dropped to fourth place after being leapfrogged by Rennes, which won against Reims 3-1 after French rising star Ousmane Dembele scored a brace.

Lyon trails the Brittany side by just two points ahead of its trip to Lorient on Sunday and can climb onto the podium with a win.

Also, sixth-place Saint-Etienne stayed in contact with its rivals for the Champions League spots by winning at Ajaccio 2-0, and last-place Troyes was officially demoted following its 1-0 home loss to Angers.

Before You Leave, Check This Out