Ibrahimovic scores as PSG maintain unbeaten start

French champions Paris Saint-Germain cruised past Guingamp on Tuesday night at the Parc des Princes to stay top of the first division. Even more encouraging for the PSG faithful was a first goal of the season for talismanic striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored a goal and missed a penalty during PSG's 3-0 win over Guingamp. Reuters/Charles Platiau

The 33-year-old Swede ended his goal drought as PSG crushed their visitors 3-0 to extend their unbeaten start to the Ligue 1 season.

Javier Pastore gave PSG a first-half lead at the Parc des Princes before Angel Di Maria netted his first goal in domestic French football to double the advantage.

Ibrahimovic, who had not scored since claiming a brace in a 6-0 win over Guingamp last May, added a third later on. But the Sweden international also had a penalty saved as the reigning champions moved four points clear at the top of the table with 17 points from seven games.

"In the first half we had some chances without dominating a very compact Guingamp. In the second half it was obviously better," PSG coach Laurent Blanc said afterwards.

"As for Ibrahimovic, just like the rest of the team, he was full of intent and was much better with the ball in the second half.

"He's still lacking that little something but once he finds it he'll score more goals," added the former France international.

Guingamp coach Jocelyn Gourvennec opted for a defensive line-up by dropping weekend goalscorers Jimmy Briand and Sloan Privat on the bench.

But the tactic backfired. Pastore picked up the ball just outside the penalty area and sytlishly passed it into the net from 20 yards. Di Maria's goal was a tap-in after Guingamp keeper Jonas Lossl had spilled a shot;

Di Maria then turned provider, playing in Ibrahimovic who slotted past Lossl seven mintues from time.

Ibrahimovic could have added a fourth after Edinson Cavani was tripped in the penalty area by Yannis Salibur but the Dane saved the spot kick.

Earlier, Angers and Reims drew 0-0, leaving both sides still with just one defeat through their first seven matches.

Rennes and Saint-Etienne can both cut PSG's lead to one point with victories on their travels to Ajaccio and Troyes respectively on Wednesday. In other Ligue 1 games on Wednesday, Lyon host Bastia and Marseille take on Toulouse.