Paris Saint-Germain’s forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic (right) does a bicycle kick during the French Ligue 1 football match against Caen at the Michel d’Ornano stadium in Caen, northwestern France. (AFP)

AFP/Paris


Paris Saint-Germain go into the winter break with a Ligue 1 record points haul of 51 after a 3-0 away win at Caen lit up by a thrilling Zlatan Ibrahimovic strike yesterday.
Already 1-0 up from an early Angel di Maria goal Ibrahimovic produced a stunning 25-yard snap-shot which flew into the top corner of the Caen goal on 36 minutes.
As the stadium rose to acclaim the giant Swede for the simple power and precision of his split-second effort, even the beaten ‘keeper was left smiling.
The win lifted PSG to a massive 20 points clear of Angers, in action today at Saint-Etienne.
It also extends the star-studded Qatar-backed club’s unbeaten record in the league to 28 games since March.
Summer-signing Di Maria rounded off the scoring with his sixth Ligue 1 goal since joining from Manchester United, making it 3-0 as he rounded off a slick team effort on 50 minutes.
Caen ‘keeper Remy Vercoutre deserves a special mention himself after saving four stinging shots in a bewildering first-half goalmouth scramble, two of them spectacular stops with the feet from Lucas Moura and Ibrahimovic.  
Not to be outdone PSG’s German ‘keeper Kevin Trapp then saved an 84th minute penalty from Caen’s Andy Delort as the champions shone in every area against a side who went into the game in fourth place.
Third-place Monaco end a turbulent 2015 at Troyes later yesterday, with the bottom club still looking for a first win of the season. Among the other fixtures is a Brittany derby between Guingamp, who are in the relegation zone, and a Rennes side with just one win in their last 13 league games.
Marseille will look to end a difficult year on a high note when they visit Bordeaux on tonight in the last match before France takes a two-week winter break over the festive period.
On Friday teenager Olivier Boscagli sent Nice into the French winter break on a winning note as he struck the only goal in a 1-0 victory at home to Montpellier.