Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored twice for Paris Saint-Germain as they beat St Etienne to equal a 21-year-old record of going 32 matches unbeaten in Ligue 1. The win further consolidates their lead in France with second-placed 24 points behind.
Zlatan connected sweetly to a Serge Aurier cross before scoring in virtually the last minute of the game to give Laurent Blanc's men the rare chance of equalling the record set by Nantes between July 1994 and April 1995.
St Etienne were the ones who began the game on the front foot constantly challenging Kevin Trapp with multiple shots on target. With Thiago Silva still absent for PSG, the defense looked shaky. The first half was equally dominated by both teams but the hosts were the ones who went into the break feeling more confident.
St Etienne's biggest threat was probably Franck Tabanou – the Swansea midfielder who rejoined the club on loan after failing to make the grade in the Premier League – who was a thorn in the in the PSG midfield putting in tackles and making in late runs to threaten Trapp's goal.
It was only on the hour mark that Aurier broke free and found Zlatan with an inch-perfect cross for the Swede to tap in. Lucas and Angel di Maria had great games, too trying to constantly get down on the wings to find their talismanic striker.
Uruguayan Edinson Cavani coming on was the trump card for Blanc's men. The former Napoli man immediately slotted in just behind Zlatan giving the Etienne defence two huge targets to deal with. His cut-back allowed di Maria to fortunately or not find Zlatan open on the far end to tuck in.
With 15 games to go, PSG's 24-point-lead over Monaco – who lost 3-0 to Angers – seems solid and their attack irrespective of who starts is star-studded enough to see them carve open the best of defenses.
