Zlatan Ibrahimovic: “I lived the dream against Malmo”

Paris Saint-Germain’s UEFA Champions League match on Tuesday against Malmo FF was particularly meaningful to PSG’s star striker in Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The Old Lady also reclaimed the Group D summit. “This is where everything started”, said Ibrahimovic, who left Malmo in 2001 to join Ajax.

“I lived a dream tonight, coming back”, he said. “I’m very happy. Since the beginning, there’s been a great relationship between Malmo’s fans and me”.

Real Madrid, who had already sealed a place in the last 16, ensured top spot in Group A with a remarkable 4-3 win over Shakhtar Donetsk. Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice as Madrid made sure of finishing top.

Paris Saint-Germain’s Adrien Rabiot, right, celebrates scoring the…

The sell-out crowd at the Malmo New Stadium then rose in unison to applaud their hero as Ibrahimovic made way for Jean-Kevin Augustin late on.

Malmo were gifted the chance to get back into the game on the hour, when a mix up between Marquinhos and Maxwell saw the latter trip Nikola Djurdjic in the penalty area, but Rosenburg’s effort from the ensuing spot-kick slammed against the post and bounced clear. Real held on for the three points in a nervy finish that is unlikely to end criticism of the team following Saturday’s 4-0 loss to arch-rival Barcelona. ‘But during the game, they should support Malmo’.

This match was always going to be about Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and the occasion called for a goal from the Swede.

In Group B, Manchester United ceded pole position to VfL Wolfsburg after the Germans won 2-0 away to CSKA Moscow.

Atletico are appearing in Europe’s elite club competition for the third season in a row for the first time and turned in another solid display in the Spanish capital. Benfica defeated Atletico 2-1 in Madrid when the two teams met earlier in the group stage.

Benfica also reached the knockout stage after a Raul Jimenez double salvaged a draw for the Portuguese side in Astana.

Both sides also hit the woodwork, while Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon did brilliantly to prevent Sergio Aguero from leveling.