Agencies
PARIS, JULY 30
Blaise Matuidi and Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored to help Paris Saint-Germain beat Manchester United 2-0 on Wednesday night at Soldier Field in the International Champions Cup.
The victory, before 61,351 spectators, moved Paris into a tie with the New York Red Bulls for the title in the summer series with 10 points each. PSG dropped its previous match to Chelsea on penalty kicks.
Matuidi opened the scoring in the 25th minute. Matuidi ran into the penalty area, fended off defender Phil Jones and sent a slow roller past charging goalkeeper David De Gea.
Ibrahimovic and Maxwell, the Brazilian defender, played a brilliant give-and-go for PSG’s second goal in the 34th minute. Ibrahimovic came down the center, fed Maxwell on the left 25 yards out and took a return feed on the 6-yard line for an easy score. PSG goalkeeper Kevin Trapp was forced to make only three saves, the best of which came from midfielder Andreas Periera in the 76th minute.Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata had a goal wiped out by an offside call and misfired on another sure change. His 17-yard shot in the 22nd minute was negated after he was ruled offside. In the 55th minute, Mata failed to connect on a shot from the right doorstep that would have cut the Red Devils’ deficit in half.
In the 35th minute, Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney sent a rebound wide after Memphis Depay was saved from 10 yards out.
Periera’s chance in the 76th minute came as Manchester United was pressing the attack. His point-blank one-hop header was stopped by Trapp on the left side of the goal box.
Manchester United had beat Club America 1-0 in its opener, then rolled to 3-1 victories over San Jose and FC Barcelona. PSG had beaten SL Benfica and Fiorentina before losing to Chelsea on penalties.
De Gea was replaced by Sam Johnstone in the Manchester United goal for the second half.
As expected, Manchester United midfielder Angel di Maria did not play. He’s been the subject of transfer rumors, with PSG the likely destination.
