The first edition of El Trafico between Los Angeles FC and LA Galaxy started out going very much in the favor of the new kids on the block. LAFC ran out to a 3-0 lead early, with the Galaxy looking completely hopeless.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s MLS debut featured a 40-yard bomb and a 3-goal comeback
Legendary.
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Then Zlatan changed everything.
The Galaxy got one goal back in the 61st minute, but the match turned completely in the 71st minute, when Zlatan Ibrahimovic entered the game. Chris Pontius pulled the Galaxy within one goal just two minutes after Zlatan’s entry, and then the Zlatan show started in earnest. In the 77th minute, he scored what will probably turn out to be one of the most memorable goals in MLS history, and one of the best in Zlatan’s esteemed career as well.
Look at this absolutely filthy volley.
A comeback draw would have been an incredible enough result for the Galaxy, but it wasn’t enough for Zlatan. In stoppage time, he came up with a towering header to win the match for his new team — just 24 hours after arriving in LA.
Was Ibrahimovic offside? Yeah, probably. But shhhhhh, don’t ruin the moment.
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