Zlatan Ibrahimovic sends PSG into French Cup quarters

Paris Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored twice as holders Paris SaintGermain eased past Lyon 30 to reach the quarterfinals of the French Cup on Wednesday extending the capital clubs 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 screwZlatan IbrahimovicAdrien Rabiot then netted a third on 75 minutes with Laurent Blancs men staying firmly on course to repeat last years domestic treble PSG will travel to sixtime winners SaintEtienne in the last eight having already knocked Christophe Galtiers side out of the French League Cup in DecemberWe didnt start too well we were a bit better towards the end of the first half But we were much better in the second period Rabiot told France 3 Blancs side host Chelsea in the first leg of their Champions League last16 tie next Tuesday but first they are at home to Lille on SaturdayAs of Sunday well start preparing for the game against Chelsea The game against Lille with all respect to Lille is badly timed said the coach The calendar cant get any tighter If you talk to me about the fixture list I get heated so its better to avoid it 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 StambouliA quiet first half saw Paris fail to register a single shot on target with Cavani wasting the home sides 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 teenagers curling effortIbrahimovic drilled narrowly wide early in the second period but PSGs mounting pressure eventually told on 63 minutes as Lucas burst down the lefthand 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 LopesAlexandre Lacazette blazed over as Bruno Genesios men sought to reduce the deficit and the visitors were understandably aggrieved when Rabiot clearly behind the last defender converted Maxwells leftwing cross to seal a fourth win in as many attempts over Lyon this season Earlier Nantes came from behind in extra time to claim a thrilling 43 victory at Bordeaux with US international Alejandro Bedoya netting a 118thminute winnerSaintEtienne also needed extra time to see off Ligue 1s bottom side Troyes as France Under21 forward Neal Maupay struck the decisive blow in the 107th minute while Lorient thumped fourthtier SarreUnion 40 On Tuesday seconddivision strugglers Sochaux knocked out Monaco with a 21 victory at the Stade Auguste Bonal with Gazelec Ajaccio and fifthtier Granville drawn against the winner of Thursdays tie between amateurs Trelissac and Marseille in the next round also advancingHowever Granville goalkeeper Clement Daoudou was hospitalised following an assault at a fastfood restaurant after the match which left him with heavy bruising and a broken nose Were shocked and outraged by what happened It was in no case a fight but indeed an assault Granvilles copresident Fabrice Clement was quoted as saying by regional daily Ouest France