Zlatan hat-trick keeps LA Galaxy’s dominance over LAFC in ‘El Trafico’

The long waited LA Derby did not disappoint as LA Galaxy defeated LAFC 3-2 in the fourth edition of ‘El Trafico’ thanks to a hat-trick by Zlatan Ibrahimovic at Dignity Health Sports Park.

LAFC (14-4-4) had unfinished business with the LA Galaxy (13-1-8) after the first game in Carson, where Zlatan made his Galaxy debut and made a considerable impact when his team was down 3-2, scoring two goals in the last fifteen minutes of the second half to secure the first win of ‘El Trafico’.

The scoreboard didn’t take long to change as Vela was knocked down in the penalty area by the Galaxy’s goalkeeper, which followed the referee signaling a penalty in the 4th minute of the game. Vela did the honors by putting his team up 1-0 with his 20th goal of the season.

But the away team’s lead only lasted a few minutes, as Zlatan would not be left behind and equalized in the 8th minute. He took on two LAFC players, putting the ball over one of them, and scoring from outside the box with his right foot.

Zlatan during an interview claimed he was a better player than Carlos Vela, due to his history playing in Europe’s biggest clubs at the age of 29, the same age as Vela playing in MLS.

Jonathan Dos Santos received a yellow card in the 35th minute after fouling Walker Zimmerman as he slid for the ball. Dos Santos disputed the call and pointed to the stadium video screen, but the referee did not agree as he raised the yellow card.

In the 58th minute, Diego Polento sent a long cross inside the penalty area for Zlatan, who beat Jordan Harvey in the air with a header, to put LA Galaxy with a 2-1 lead.

Zlatan made his presence felt once again on the field by scoring his third goal of the game in the 70th minute and his 16th of the season, surpassing Josef Martinez for the second-leading scorer’s spot. Zlatan took a low right shot just outside the goalie’s box, too fast for Tyler Miller’s outstretched arms.

Vela scored a late goal, his 21st of the season, in the 97th minute after sneaking behind the defense, but the score would not be enough as the LA Galaxy finishes with a 3-2 victory over LAFC. The defeat gives LAFC fans another sad day as Bob Bradley’s men continue to look for their first-ever win against their home rivals.

With the victory, the LA Galaxy continues to dominate the LA Derby with two wins and two draws. Although LAFC remains at the top of the Western Conference standings, Galaxy has trimmed the difference to just a few points.