Zlatan Ibrahimovic hat-trick seals Galaxy comeback win

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Zlatan Ibrahimovic had his first MLS hat-trick, scoring the tying and go-ahead goals in a 4-minute span in the LA Galaxy’s 4-3 victory over Orlando City on Sunday night.

The 36-year-old Swedish star tied it at three in the 67th minute on a diving header off Ola Kamara’s feed, then put the Galaxy in front in the 71st with a short hard kick after he headed down a rebound. He celebrated by ripping off his jersey.

Ibrahimovic pulled LA even at two in the 47th when his towering header from a Dos Santos cross from the left found the top corner.

The Swedish striker scored his first hat-trick for LA Galaxy as they fought back from behind. /VCG Photo

After dos Santos rang a shot off the crossbar in the 50th, Dominic Dwyer put Orlando back in front in the 54th with a header off Mohamed El-Munir’s cross from the end line.

Orlando City took a 2-1 lead just before halftime on LA defender Michael Ciani’s own goal. Ciani accidentally deflected Sacha Kljestan’s center pass past goalkeeper David Bingham.

Cristian Higuita opened the scoring for Orlando in the 18th minute, connecting from close range. Dos Santos tied it in the 39th, firing a shot to the lower left side off an assist from Ibrahimovic.

Ibrahimovic wildly celebrates as Galaxy move up to third place in the table. /VCG Photo

It was Ibrahimovic's first hat-trick since scoring three for Manchester United in their 3-0 Europa League win over Saint-Etienne on February 26 last year.

Ibrahimovic now has 15 goals in 17 games played for the Galaxy. The Galaxy is undefeated in their last nine league games, a run that includes five victories.

It leaves the Galaxy third in the standings, a point behind their local rivals LAFC in second and seven points shy of Western Conference leaders Dallas.

(With input from agencies)