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PSG cruise to Champions Trophy triumph in China

Updated: 2014-08-04 17:29
( Agencies)

PSG cruise to Champions Trophy triumph in China

Paris Saint-Germain's Zlatan Ibrahimovic shoots to score his second goal, from a penalty, against Guingamp during the French season-opening Champions Trophy football match in Beijing, on Aug 2, 2014. [Photo/IC]

Ibrahimovic opened the scoring after just nine minutes when taking goalkeeper Mamadou Samassa by surprise with a shot from 20 yards.

On 20 minutes he doubled the advantage form the penalty spot after Jean-Christophe Bahebeck was brought down by Lars Jacobsen.

The big Swede was enjoying a purple patch and in the last minute tried his luck from inside his own half, although without success.

Frighteningly, Blanc said there is a lot more to come from Ibrahimovic.

"Ibra is not in top form, like the rest of the team," said the former France coach.

"We expect to have a lot of competition from teams who are further advanced in their preparation than us but despite all that, we always want to play good football and to finish off chances, and Ibra finishes off a lot of chances for us.

"Consequently, it's not unsurprising that he made the difference and was man-of-the-match."

Guingamp's best opportunity came in the 31st minute when Brazilian centre-back Marquinhos was harshly adjudged to have brought down Claudio Beauvue, but Italian goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu, who was a virtual spectator throughout, saved Mustapha Yatabare's spot-kick.

PSG begin their quest for a third straight Ligue 1 title on Friday at Reims while Guingamp host Saint-Etienne next Saturday in their opening Ligue 1 fixture of the season.

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