Ibrahimovic lifts French Cup in PSG swansong
AFP
AFP, PARIS: Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored two goals and set up another as Paris Saint-Germain defeated bitter rivals Marseille 4-2 to clinch a 10th French Cup title on Saturday in the Swedes final game with the club.
Blaise Matuidi struck PSGs opening goal inside two minutes at the Stade de France, but Marseille hit back just 10 minutes later through on-loan Newcastle midfielder Florian Thauvin.
Ibrahimovic then converted a penalty immediately after half-time to restore the capital clubs lead, before he played in Edinson Cavani to add a third goal on 56 minutes.
The 34-year-old Swedish star signed off in trademark spectacular style with his second of the evening, the 156th and final goal of his PSG career, eight minutes from time as Laurent Blancs side repeated last years domestic treble despite a late consolation from Michy Batshuayi.
Im very happy to win my final match with a fantastic team, said Ibrahimovic.
Weve worked hard over the four years. It was an incredible adventure for me, especially when you know how things were when I arrived and how they are now.
Its mission accomplished. I didnt learn to speak French but Ive won everything. I came, I saw, I conquered.
Marseille interim coach Franck Passi lamented his sides slow start to both halves, rueing a lack of concentration.
You must not give away goals like the ones we conceded because its difficult for us to score them, he said. It needed to stay at 1-1 for longer, we had the chances but we only scored two goals.
We couldnt to afford to concede a goal so quickly, we needed to be more focused.
With the Ligue 1 crown and French League Cup already in the bag, PSG were aiming to move level with record 10-time French Cup winners Marseille in a repeat of the 2006 final, won 2-1 by Paris.
Ibrahimovic, who last weekend broke Argentine striker Carlos Bianchis single-season club record of 37 league goals, was aiming to bring down the curtain the down on a glittering four-year stay in the French capital in fitting fashion having already helped PSG to 11 trophies
