Paris St Germain's Zlatan Ibrahimovic (centre) with teammates Maxwell Andrade and Blaise Matuidi, (right). - File

MONTPELLIER, France (AP):

Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored one goal and created another to take Paris Saint-Germain past Montpellier into the round of 32 of the French Cup yesterday.

The Sweden international was instrumental as PSG struggled to string passes together on a very poor pitch before securing a 3-0 win in the last half hour.

Clement Chantome put PSG ahead in the 63rd minute with a tap-in from Ibrahimovic's clever cut-back pass in the box. Montpellier dominated the first half but ran out of gas after the interval and Ibrahimovic headed the ball in from close range from Javier Pastore's cross to extend PSG's lead.

Powerful and precise

Brazilian forward Lucas Moura completed the French champions' victory in added time with a powerful and precise low shot at the far post.

"It was very difficult to play our game on such a difficult surface, but we carried on as a team," Lucas said. "We ran a lot, worked hard, and it paid off."

In their first official match since the winter break, PSG fielded a depleted team. Laurent Blanc's side was hampered by the absences of Edinson Cavani and Ezequiel Lavezzi, who were left out for a breach of discipline, while goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu and Thiago Motta were sidelined by injuries.

PSG will next take on Bordeaux in one of the four top-flight matches of the next round. Fourth-division side Grenoble, who upset Ligue 1 leaders Marseille with a 5-4 win on penalties, will travel to third-tier club Boulogne.