Ligue 1 wrap: PSG move to fourth

[Zlatan Ibrahimovic]

Ligue 1 wrap: PSG move to fourth

23 September 2012

Paris Saint-Germain have won their fourth game in a row, defeating Bastia 4-0, to move within three points of the top of Ligue 1.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored two goals and set up a third as PSG extended their winning streak to four matches, including their 4-1 triumph over Dynamo Kiev in the Champions League.

The big-spending capital club took just six minutes to break the deadlock away to Bastia with Ibrahimovic volleying Javier Pastore's free-kick back across goal for Jeremy Menez to tap home at the top of the six-yard box.

In the 40th minute, teenage PSG midfielder Marco Verrati sprinted forward with the ball at his feet, played a one-two with Ibrahimovic and then flicked a pass over the top of Bastia's defence for the big Swede, who finished into the bottom corner the home side's goalkeeper charged off his line.

Blaise Matuidi finished off a flowing PSG move in the 72nd minute to make it 3-0 before Ibrahimovic added a fourth just before injury time, running onto Nene's long diagonal pass to lift the ball over Macedo Novaes in Bastia's goal.

Saturday's victory has taken PSG to third in Ligue 1's standings, just three points behind leaders Marseille, although they have played a game less.

In Toulouse, goalkeeper Ali Ahamada scored with a dramatic late header to earn the home team a 2-2 draw with Rennes.

After five minutes of second-half injury time, Toulouse had a free-kick about 30 metres from Rennes' goal and Ahamada was sent forward in a desperate move for an equaliser.

Wissam Ben Yedder curled his free-kick towards the penalty spot and Ahamada slipped behind Rennes' defence, diving onto his back to nod the ball past his counterpart Benoit Costil and then leaping the advertising hoardings to celebrate with the Toulouse fans.

Ahamada's goal was the second time Toulouse equalised for the match with Jonathan Pitroipa opening the scoring for Rennes in the 10th minute before Ben Yedder brought the home side level 14 minutes later and then Mevlut Erdinc put the visitors in front again in the second half.

Sochaux made it two wins from as many games with a 3-1 triumph over Troyes, while newly-promoted Reims moved up to fifth in Ligue 1 with a 2-0 win against Nancy.

In other results, Brest defeated Valenciennes 2-1 and Lorient drew 1-1 with Nice.