Pastore, Ibrahimovic give PSG first home win

PHOTO | MIGUEL MEDINA Paris Saint-Germain's Argentinian midfielder Javier Pastore is applauded by fans after scoring during the French L1 football match Paris vs Toulouse, on September 14, 2012 at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris.

What you need to know:

  • Argentine star Javier Pastore and Swedish international striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, with his fifth of the season, were on target for PSG who moved into third place in Ligue 1 with nine points
  • PSG are three points behind leaders Marseille, who will be seeking a fifth win in five games when they go to Nancy on Sunday
  • Defending champions Montpellier, who face Arsenal in their European opener next Tuesday, slumped to their third defeat in five games when they lost 3-1 at Reims

PARIS

Paris Saint Germain warmed up for the opening of their Champions League campaign with a 2-0 win over Toulouse on Friday, the big-spending team's first home victory of the season.

Argentine star Javier Pastore and Swedish international striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, with his fifth of the season, were on target for PSG who moved into third place in Ligue 1 with nine points.

Defending champions Montpellier, who face Arsenal in their European opener next Tuesday, slumped to their third defeat in five games when they lost 3-1 at Reims.

Pastore opened the scoring for PSG after 38 minutes.

He was put through by a clever ball from Marco Verratti, who had only just been booked, with the Argentine star chipping the ball over Ali Ahamada in the Toulouse goal.

PSG, who welcome Dynamo Kiev in the Champions League on Tuesday, made sure of the points in the 69th minute when Pastore released Jeremy Menez who crossed for Ibrahimovic to beat Ahamada at the far post.

PSG are three points behind leaders Marseille, who will be seeking a fifth win in five games when they go to Nancy on Sunday.

"It was a difficult match, the first after the international break, so it was important to win," said Ibrahimovic.

"I felt a little tired tonight. I played 90 minutes on Tuesday and 90 again tonight. For my goal, it was a fantastic pass from Menez -- I just put the ball in the net."

Reims went ahead at home to Montpellier in the 38th minute when Brazilian import Diego grabbed his first goal for the club.

Remy Cabella equalised in the 55th minute, just seconds after coming on a substitute, beating goalkeeper Kossi Agassa who got a touch to the ball but could not keep it out.

Reims were back in front in the 78th minute thanks to a superb individual goal from Christopher Glombard who skipped through two challenges before slotting the ball over goalkeeper Geofrrey Jourdren.

Gaetan Courtet hit the third for Reims, four minutes from time.