Zlatan Ibrahimovic inspires PSG

Paris Saint-Germain forward Edinson Cavani (centre) vies for the ball with Bakary Kone of Lyon in their French Cup pre-quater-final at the Parc des Princes Stadium in Paris on Wednesday. PSG won 3-0. (Photo: AFP)

Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored twice as holders Paris Saint-Germain eased past Lyon 3-0 to reach the quarter-finals of the French Cup on Wednesday, extending the capital club’s winning run to 16 matches.

Ibrahimovic bundled in the opening goal just past the hour at the Parc des Princes, and the Swede added a second soon after as PSG began to turn the screw.

Adrien Rabiot then netted a third on 75 minutes, with Laurent Blanc’s men staying firmly on course to repeat last year’s domestic treble.

Blanc handed Edinson Cavani, relegated to several substitute appearances in Ligue 1 since the turn of the year, a start in place of Angel Di Maria, while midfielder Blaise Matuidi made way for Benjamin Stambouli in midfield.

A quiet first half saw Paris fail to register a single shot on target, with Cavani wasting the home side’s best opportunity when he steered wide after Lucas picked out the Uruguayan just inside the area.

Maxwell Cornet went close to giving Lyon the lead five minutes before the break, but Salvatore Sirigu flung himself to his left to brilliantly turn behind the teenager’s curling effaort.

PSG’s mounting pressure eventually told on 63 minutes as Lucas burst down the left-hand side before crossing for Ibrahimovic to chest home.

The Swede struck again just four minutes later when Serge Aurier slid in a low cross from the right for Ibrahimovic, who was marginally offside, to poke beyond Anthony Lopes.

Alexandre Lacazette blazed over as Bruno Genesio’s men sought to reduce the deficit, and the visitors were understandably aggrieved when Rabiot, clearly behind the last defender, converted Maxwell’s left-wing cross to seal a fourth win in as many attempts over Lyon this season.

Nantes came from behind to claim a thrilling 4-3 victory at Bordeaux, with Alejandro Bedoya netting a 118th-minute winner.