Ibrahimovic scores double on Galaxy debut to inspire stunning comeback

LOSANGELES: Zlatan Ibrahimovic announced his arrival in Major League Soccer with two goals on his debut including an injurytime winner as the Los Angeles Galaxy fought back from three goals down to beat Los Angeles FC 4-3 on Saturday.

Ibrahimovic lashed home an imperious volley from 40 yards just six minutes after coming on as a substitute to make it 3-3 and trigger pandemonium at the Stubhub Center.

The Swede then headed home Ashley Cole’s cross in injury time to put Galaxy 4-3 ahead in an extraordinary finale that lived up to the hype that surrounded the veteran striker’s arrival from Manchester United.

It was the final act of a thrilling first ever derby between the Galaxy and expansion side LAFC, who had surged into a 3-0 lead early in the second half after two goals from Carlos Vela and an own goal from Daniel Steres.

Slack play from LAFC allowed Galaxy to pull a goal back through Sebastian Lletget in the 61st minute after dogged work from Servando Carrasco.

“His touch, his movement - he’s not fully physically fit, but he decides the derby from the moment he comes in. He’s a magical soccer player,” said Galaxy midfielder Stefan Ishizaki, who made his debut Sweden debut alongside Ibrahimovic in 2001.

“Back then he did things mostly on his own but now he reads the game in a completely different way and gets in much better positions,” he added.