He promised he would perform in El Trafico on Friday, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic delivered, scoring a hat trick as the LA Galaxy defeated LAFC 3-2 at Dignity Health Sports Park.
The game, the fourth all-time between the Los Angeles teams, maintains LA's unbeaten run (2-0-2) against their new neighbors. The teams will play again on Aug. 25, at Banc of California Stadium.
The game started off with a bang. Carlos Vela drew a penalty from David Bingham in the opening minutes, and converted the spot kick himself in the 4th minute. But Zlatan Ibrahimovichad an answer himself, as he played a sombrero on two LAFC defenders, then blasted home a lob to beat Tyler Miller in the 8th minute to make it 1-1.