PARIS, Feb. 20 (Xinhua) -- Three goals in a span of six minutes lifted Paris Saint-Germain past Montpellier 5-1 at home to extend their lead to 15 points atop Ligue 1 on Wednesday.
The PSG went ahead through Layvin Kurzawa's first league goal of the season. Florent Mollet's free-kick leveled the score, but it was overshadowed by Di Maria's shot in a more spectacular manner just before the break.
Despite being ruled offside for a pair of goals, PSG managed to cruise through in the second half thanks to own goals from Montpellier's Petar Skuletic and Vitorino Hilton, and Kylian Mbappe capped the night with his 20th league goal of the campaign.
PSG veteran goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon denied an early lead after blocking Montpellier striker Skuletic's left-footed shot in the eighth minute. The hosts broke the deadlock just five minutes later, as Kurzawa pressed forward to latch onto Dani Alves' stitching cross for a header.
After Di Maria wasted a one-on-one chance against goalkeeper Benjamin Lecomte, Mollet saw his free-kick blocked by Buffon, but the goal was ratified by goal-line technology.
The PSG wasted another opportunity shortly afterwards. Christopher Nkunku was left unmarked to attempt a sweeping shot which turned out to be denied by a stretching Ambroise Oyongo in the 34th minute.
Di Maria pleased crowds at the Parc des Princes by smashing a free-kick at target off the underside of crossbar in stoppage time of the first half.
The PSG were totally in charge after the interval. After goals from Mbappe and substitute forward Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting were ruled offside, the hosts ran away as Skuletic and Hilton conceded own goals, and Mbappe's shot deflected off Hilton into the goal 11 minutes from time.
Keeping their home winning record intact in the league, PSG sit 15 points clear of second-placed Lille with a match in hand. Montpellier stay sixth.
Also on Wednesday, Bordeaux were held to a goalless draw by bottom side Guingamp.
