Zlatan Ibrahimovic PSG UCL 2013
Zlatan Ibrahimovic celebrates a first half hat trick as PSG thwarted Anderlecht 5-0 on Wednesday night in Champions League Group C play. Reuters

Zlatan Ibrahimovic had a match to remember as the Swedish forward scored four goals for Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday in a thumping against Anderlecht at Constant Vanden Stock Stadium in Champions League play, 5-0.

The 32-year-old had a hat trick by halftime, as PSG are set to advance to the Round of 16 with nine points after three Group C matches. The Ligue 1 titans have outscored their group opponents 12-1 in the tournament.

Ibrahimovic now has six goals in Champions League play, and keeper Salvatore Sirigu added his second clean sheet with four saves. Fellow forward Edison Cavani netted his second UCL goal, and defender Gregory Van Der Wiel recorded two assists, both in Ibrahimovic’s favor.

Ibrahimovic began his onslaught in the 17th minute, using excellent footwork and timing with Van Der Wiel to burst past the last Anderlecht defender for a deflection into the lower left corner of the net. The next strike in the 22nd minute was from about the same distance. This time Van Der Wiel charged the baseline past Anderlecht’s defense and Ibrahimovic slipped to right side and pinged in the goal for a 2-0 lead.

The most impressive score came in the 36th after it appeared Anderlecht had cleared the ball. Ibrahimovic accepted the rebound and fired it from roughly 40 yards out in one motion for a curving goal to the top left corner. The final goal from Ibrahimovic came in the 62nd minute off a right-foot shot, and assisted by Thiago Motta.

Anderlecht couldn’t make the most of their numerous opportunities, including nine corner kicks and six offsides calls. Midfielders Matias Suarez, Gohi Bi Zorro Cyriac, and Guillaume Gillet, along with forward Aleksandar Mitrovic notched the Belgian side’s only four shots on target.

Anderlecht have had huge struggles in the group phase. They have been outscored 10-0 in three matches.

The two clubs meet again on Nov. 5 in Paris.

All the highlights for each goal are below.

3 goles de Ibrahimovic, Anderlecht 0-3 PSGby DeporVito

Anderlecht 0-4 PSG (Goal Edinson Cavani)by all-goals

Anderlecht 0-5 PSG (Goal Zlatan Ibrahimovic)by all-goals