Zlatan Ibrahimovic scores two stunning goals in MLS debut with LA Galaxy

Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored twice off the bench in his MLS debut to lead LA Galaxy past LAFC after trailing 3-0 in the clubs' first ever meeting.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic scores from 38 yards out to pull the LA Galaxy level with LAFC minutes after coming on for his MLS debut.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic heads in a second goal on his MLS debut to put LA Galaxy ahead 4-3 late after trailing LAFC 3-0.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic made an immediate impact in his MLS debut on Saturday, scoring twice to rally the LA Galaxy to a 4-3 win over new local rivals LAFC at StubHub Center.

With the crowd chanting "We Want Zlatan!" in the second half, the former Manchester United striker entered the game in the 71st minute to a raucous welcome from the home supporters, though his new club was trailing the expansion team 3-1.

Within two minutes, Ibrahimovic played a part in controlling the ball before Chris Pontius got a goal back for the Galaxy -- and then the Swedish star took the game into his own hands.

Ibrahimovic had his new team back on level terms five minutes later, smashing in his first-ever shot in a Galaxy uniform from 38 yards away with a swerving half-volley that went over the head of the LAFC goalkeeper and into the net.

And just into stoppage time, Ibrahimovic rose highest to head home a cross from Emmanuel Boateng to complete the comeback.

"They chanted 'We want Zlatan.' So I gave them Zlatan," Ibrahimovic told Fox after the game.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored twice to cap an amazing debut for the LA Galaxy.

It was an impressive performance for a 36-year-old who only arrived in the United States on Thursday night and trained with the Galaxy for the first time on Friday. But Ibrahimovic has a history of amazing debuts -- he also scored in his first appearances for United in 2016 and Paris Saint-Germain in 2012.

"I mean my history often when I come to a new team I score in the first game, the first official game, so I wouldn't let it down this time," he said. "I had to score."

One of the most famous players in the world, Ibrahimovic completed his move from United to MLS last week, signing a two-year deal which ESPN sources have said will pay him $3 million.

Ibrahimovic had talks with MLS about moving to the Galaxy in 2016 before ultimately joining United on a free transfer from PSG. He has also played for AC Milan, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Juventus, Ajax and Malmo, scoring more than 450 goals for club and country.

His career appeared to be in jeopardy when he tore the ACL in his right knee in the Europa League quarterfinals against Anderlecht last April, but after a faster-than-expected recovery -- "Lions don't recover like humans," the player said -- United still signed him to another one-year contract in August.

However, United's purchase of Romelu Lukaku earlier in the summer pushed Ibrahimovic to the sidelines, and their elimination this month from the Champions League -- which Ibrahimovic never won -- allowed the Galaxy to secure him before the end of United's season, and he wasted no time putting his unique stamp on MLS.

The Galaxy became just the second team to come back from a three-goal deficit to win in regulation in MLS history, after the Seattle Sounders did it last season.

Follow @ESPNFC on Twitter to keep up with the latest football updates.

Let's block ads! (Why?)