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Cape Town - Zlatan Ibrahimovic struck his first Major League Soccer (MLS) hat-trick to lead the LA Galaxy to a thrilling 4-3 win over Orlando City on Sunday at the StubHub Centre.
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Ibrahimovic scored all three of his goals after half-time as the Galaxy erased a 2-1 half-time deficit.
The former Manchester United forward levelled the scores at 2-2 three minutes into the second half rising up to meet a chipped cross by Giovanni dos Santos heading in his 13th goal of the season.
Dom Dwyer gave Orlando the lead once more seven minutes later with a headed goal of his own after an inch-perfect cross by Mohamed El-Munir.
Ibrahimovic scored his brace in the 67th minute with a diving header to level the match for the third time at 3-3 then scored a dramatic winner four minutes later before ripping off his jersey to celebrate his first MLS hat-trick.
The Swede who was named as the Man of the Match has now scored 15 goals in 17 appearances.
After the final whistle Ibrahimovic announced he is set to miss the MLS All-Star game against Juventus to rest as he had played three games in the space of nine days.
"I am disappointed to miss the 2018 All-Star game against Juventus, one of my former clubs," said Ibrahimovic. "I want to thank the fans for voting me to the team. My main focus is to score goals and help the LA Galaxy to the playoffs."
15 goals in 17 #LAGalaxy appearances.
— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) July 30, 2018
Witness @Ibra_official's first hat trick in @MLS ?? pic.twitter.com/KNGqoOFxHq
