Zlatan Ibrahimovic has fired Paris Saint-Germain into a 1-0 half-time lead over Chelsea in North Carolina as the Blues look on course for a second straight pre-season defeat.

Fifteen minutes elapsed before either side managed a sight at goal in a cagey opening to the contest - a repeat of a fiery quarter-final Champions League tie earlier in March.

Teammates celebrate with Zlatan Ibrahimovic #10 of Paris Saint-Germain after his first half goal against Chelsea during their International Champions Cup match at Bank of America Stadium on July 25, 2015 © Getty Images

It came for PSG - who won the tie on away goals - as Lucas Moura, who exchanged a neat one-two with Ibrahimovic before drilling narrowly wide of the post.

Laurent Blanc's side continued to threaten in the final third and the French champions saw their perseverance rewarded on 25 minutes.

Ibrahimovic, who has been linked with a switch away from PSG this summer, was in the right place to slot home a rebound after Jean-Kevin Augustin's initial effort was parried.

The Premier League champions responded well and Kevin Trapp pulled off a smart save to deny Diego Costa, while at the other end Lucas came close to doubling the lead.

Marco Verratti and Augustin both spurned further opportunities as Les Parisiens dominated the opening half but only had one goal to show for it.

Jose Mourinho's side came into the contest on the back of a shock 4-2 defeat to New York Red Bulls earlier in the week.