Zlatan Ibrahimovic ended his Paris Saint-Germain career in style by reaching 50 goals in an outstanding farewell season as bitter rivals Marseille were beaten 4-2 in the French Cup final on Saturday.
Ibrahimovic scored a penalty at the start of the second half and showed his altruistic side, picking out forward Edinson Cavani with a perfect pass through Marseille’s defence as PSG made it 3-1.
Midfielder Blaise Matuidi created the fourth in the 82nd, allowing Ibrahimovic to charge through and coolly beat goalkeeper Steve Mandanda for his 156th goal in 180 games since joining the club in 2012 – and his 11th in 10 against Marseille.
The 34-year-old raises his fingers to the heavens after scoring a brace in the French Cup final
Ibrahimovic added a second late in the game to secure a second consecutive treble for PSG
Ibrahimovic is crowded by team-mates to celebrate finishing his spell at the club with a goal and trophy
The Swede touches hands with coach Laurent Blanc as he signs off his PSG career with another treble
Ibrahimovic also provided the assist for PSG team-mate Edinson Cavani to score a third
Blaise Matuidi wheels away in celebration after scoring the opening goal for PSG after only three minutes
Newcastle loanee Florian Thauvin (right) drew Marseille level in te first half with a deflected shot.
‘It has been a fantastic adventure for me,’ Ibrahimovic said on French television. ‘We know how it was in the beginning and how it is today. I can just say `Mission completed.”
In typical brash style, he replied with a curt `You tell me’ when asked if he will miss the French league, or whether Ligue 1 will miss him.
Asked to say a farewell in French, he instead chose to continue in English.
‘I didn’t speak French, and still I won everything,’ he said. ‘I came, I saw, I conquered. Thank you.’
PSG secured consecutive domestic trebles, and won the cup for a record-equaling 10th time – level with Marseille, which last won the trophy in 1989.
Matuidi gave PSG the lead in the second minute and, after winger Florian Thauvin leveled 10 minutes later with a slightly deflected strike from the edge of the penalty area, Matuidi earned a penalty a minute into the second half.
Marseille center half Nicolas N’Koulou was to blame for a clumsy challenge, needlessly barging into Matuidi as he broke into the right of the area.
Marseille supporters create an intimidating atmosphere ahead of the french Cup final
PSG star player Zlatan ibrahimovic takes a strike in what will be his last game for the French champions
Matuidi celebrates with Angel di Maria and Ibrahimovic after opening the scoring
The France international midfielder points towards the stands as he celebrates his goal
Matuidi is mobbed by his PSG team-mates as the Ligue 1 winners take an early lead
Sweden icon Ibrahimovic has confirmed that he is leaving PSG at the end of the season
Ibrahimovic took his time from the spot, taking a deep breath before sending goalkeeper Steve Mandanda the wrong way.
Moments later, Marseille almost equalized through Thauvin, only for striker Steven Fletcher to waste his pass with a poor finish.
After Marseille lost possession carelessly, PSG winger Angel Di Maria picked up the loose ball and quickly fed it to Ibrahimovic, who spotted Cavani in space. Cavani confidently netted his 25th goal of the season in the 57th.
Top-scorer Michy Batshuayi pulled a goal back in the 87th, and Marseille created some pressure in the closing stages.
But it was too late.
Marseille forward Thauvin gets his shot away under pressure from PSG defender Maxwell
Marseille’s French goalkeeper Steve Mandanda congratulates Thauvin after his leveller
The French forward, on loan at Marseille from Newcastle, races to celebrate his goal in front of fans
Marseille’s fans light a flare during the French Cup final at the Stade de France Stadium
Ibrahimovic urges his team-mates to calm themselves as the opening half ends 1-1
Michy Batshuayi (top), who has been linked with a Premier League move, goes down under a challenge
PSG manager Laurent Blanc watches his side with a thoughtful expression from the sidelines
Ibrahimovic calmly slots home a second half penalty after Matuidi was brought down in the area
Ibrahimovic, who is playing his final game for the Ligue 1 champions, is mobbed by his team-mates
Uruguay international Cavani celebrates after scoring PSG’s third goal in the French Cup final
Ibrahimovic takes a shot through a crowded penalty as PSG dominate the second half
The PSG striker, who has been linked with a Premier League, celebrates his second and final goal for the club
The night belonged to Ibrahimovic, anyway, and French President Francois Hollande joined the Stade de France crowd in applauding the Sweden star as he was substituted with a minute left.
Ibrahimovic will stay in France a little longer – the European Championship begins on June 10 – but must then find a new club.
The 34-year-old Ibrahimovic won’t be short of offers, with FA Cup winner Manchester United and Major League Soccer teams reportedly keen.
MATCH FACTS
Marseille (4-4-2): Mandanda; Manquillo, N’Koulou, Rekik, Mendy; Isla, Barrada (Dje Djedje), Diarra, Thauvin (N’Koudou); Batshuayi, Fletcher (Cabella).
Subs: Pele, Rolando, Romao, Alessandrini.
Booked: Mendy
Scorer: Thauvin 12′, Batshuayi 87′
PSG (4-3-3): Sirigu; Aurier, Thiago Silva, Marquinhos, Maxwell; Stambouli (Luiz), Matuidi, Rabiot; Di Maria, Ibrahimovic (Kurzawa), Cavani (Lucas).
Subs: Douchez, Van der Wiel, Rimane, Augustin.
Booked:
Scorer: Matuidi 3′, Ibrahimovic (pen) 47′ 82′, Cavani 57′
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