Ezequiel Lavezzi celebrates after scoring the winner for PSG.

Ezequiel Lavezzi’s second-half goal was enough to secure Paris St Germain a 2-1

win in Nantes – the reigning Ligue 1 champions’ first victory of the season.

Edinson Cavani scored his second goal of the season for Laurent Blanc’s men

midway through the first half before Alex’s own goal levelled matters just after

half-time.

However, Lavezzi stole the headlines late on and ensured Blanc claimed his

first league win at the third attempt.

The visitors began the game well and could have been ahead within six minutes

but Remy Riou bravely denied an unmarked Zlatan Ibrahimovic 10 yards out.

Having conceded early in their first two Ligue 1 games PSG dominated early

proceedings at La Beuajoire and that pressure paid off in the 24th minute.

Ibrahimovic turned creator and picked out Cavani from deep and the Uruguayan

did the rest, beating Riou confidently after escaping the home side’s defence.

Nantes continued to struggle as PSG’s trio of Ibrahimovic, Cavani and Javier

Pastore tormented Les Canaris defence with some neat interplay but the hosts did

fashion an opportunity just before the break.

Vincent Bessat combined well with Alejandro Bedoya before the latter shot

straight at a thankful Salvatore Sirigu before Cichero also wasted an

opportunity from a good position.

An unlikely equaliser did come shortly after the interval, though, when Alex

turned the ball into his own net after the PSG defence failed to deal with a

dangerous Jordan Veretout free-kick.

Sirigu prevented a catastrophe five minutes later when he saved magnificently

from a superb Bedoya header as Blanc began to look on nervously from the

touchline.

The former France national team manager was put at ease though on 73 minutes

when Lavezzi reclaimed the lead for the visitors.

Ibrahimovic was involved again and released Blaise Matuidi into the area before

the diminutive Argentinian was on hand to apply the finish.

Sirigu was called upon again late on to save his team’s blushes but the

Parisiens held out for the result they’ll hope will kickstart their season.

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