Ibrahimovic's hat-trick sends PSG to French Cup final

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Zlatan scores 3 goals to take PSG to French Cup final

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Paris, April 9 (IANS) Striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored his 100th goal for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) before completing a hat-trick as the Ligue 1 champions trounced Saint-Etienne 4-1 at Parc des Princes to reach French Cup final.

The Swedish striker opened the scoring on 21 minutes through a penalty shot sending goalkeeper Stephane Ruffier the wrong way, after right back Francois Clerc brought down winer Ezequiel Lavezzi on Wednesday, reports Xinhua.

Four minutes later, Saint-Etienne levelled it with a glancing header by winger Romain Hamouma, receiving Yohan Mollo's left-wing cross from a free kick.

It was Lavezzi who put PSG again ahead in the 60th minute when the Argentine winger headed in midfielder Javier Pastore's superb cross from the right.

Ibrahimovic then rounded Ruffier at the 81st minute for the hosts' third goal, and scored again in stoppage time, his 102th for Les Parisiens since joining three years ago.

He is now the joint second-highest scorers in the club's history alongside fellow centurion Dominique Rocheteau and just seven behind the club's all-time top scorer, Portuguese striker Pauleta, who has 109.

PSG will play Auxerre at Stade de France on May 30 after the second tier beat title holders Guingamp 1-0 on Tuesday to book their first Cup final since 2005, despite being down to 10 men late in second half.

The Ligue 1 leaders next take on Bastia in the League Cup final on Saturday, before facing Spanish side FC Barcelona in the Champions League quarter-finals first leg next Wednesday.