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| LA Galaxy 4-3 LAFC: Zlatan Ibrahimovic scores wondergoal on MLS debut – live! | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Final thoughts: That, basically, was a microcosm of the whole LAFC v LA Galaxy dynamic so far. LAFC bounced onto the scene with confidence and style, and made the storied team look like awkward guests in their own home. But the institutional memory and sense of entitlement still belonged to the Galaxy, and in the end...Zlatan. | |
| It might be cruel to be thinking “Carlos who?” after Vela’s contribution to this game, but by the end of the match, he Rossi and Urena looked as marginal as the Galaxy’s attack had in the first half. It looked like nothing would go right for the hosts when LAFC went three up just after the half, but from the moment Zlatan watched the ball bounce behind him and into his path in the 77th minute, there could only be one winner. Go and watch it now. I’ll wait. | |
| By the time he won the game, it was almost amazing we’d ever thought it would happen any other way, or that he’d ever be a competitive footnote for the first ever LA Galaxy v LAFC derby. | |
| I’m off to splash some water on my face, in case I’m living inside some sort of Ibrahimovic-Inception fever dream. In the meantime, thanks for joining me today, and for your tweets and emails. Sorry I couldn’t use them all. | |
| Final thoughts in a moment, when I collect my jaw off the floor. | |
| 90 mins +3: There’ll be three minutes time added on. And we just have time to note, on the replays, that Zlatan had not actually got himself back onside when the cross for the winner came in. It won’t matter though, this one is done. | |
| This is just silly. Husidic scoops a ball over the top for an offside Zlatan, who checks his run and veers away to leave it for the onside Cole. Cole scoops the ball across to the six yard box to where Zalatan has resumed his run from an offside position to crash a header that’s surely won the game and possibly written the odd headline. | |
| 90 mins +2: LAFC enjoying a period of possession, though nowhere dangerous. and now...he really is a ridiculous man... | |
| 90 mins: And now there’s another great chance for LAFC as the sub Atuesta picks up the ball on the edge of the box to skid a low shot just past David Bingham’s right post. | |
| Up at the other end Ibrahimovic is dragged down to give Husidic a look at a free kick, but he can only float it over the defense and over the byline. Clock running out now. | |
| 88 mins: Don’t try to beat El Trafico! LAFC break and Urena races onto a through ball from Rossi, before cutting back under pressure inside the left side of the box to fashion a low shot that rebounds off the inside of the near post! We may have a decisive goal yet. | |
| 86 mins: Both teams perhaps gathering themselves for the final push, or trying to control the game to its conclusion. Neither wants to lose this from this position, obviously. | |
| 84 mins: It’s been quite some time in this game before you might have found yourself thinking, “LAFC would be happy for a draw from this one.” | |
| Meanwhile, have a little look at this: | |
| AMAZING.#zLAtan#LAvLAFC https://t.co/xyk78K6xSr | |
| 82 mins: So this one’s been a decent start for the rivalry, no? | 82 mins: So this one’s been a decent start for the rivalry, no? |
| We’re not done yet though. LAFC have a dangerous looking free kick near the D, which Vela deflects off the wall for a corner that comes to nothing. | We’re not done yet though. LAFC have a dangerous looking free kick near the D, which Vela deflects off the wall for a corner that comes to nothing. |
| If you get a chance watch the stadium wide celebrations as Ibrahimovic gets everyone out of their seats with that goal. | If you get a chance watch the stadium wide celebrations as Ibrahimovic gets everyone out of their seats with that goal. |
| My editor has just texted me, on Ibrahimovic, “What a ridiculous man...” | My editor has just texted me, on Ibrahimovic, “What a ridiculous man...” |
| 80 mins: Not a lot looks on as a ball skews into the air and drops to Zlatan some 35 yards out. And then he hits it as it drops and bends a vicious volley in off the far post. It was...well, you’ll be seeing it a lot. | 80 mins: Not a lot looks on as a ball skews into the air and drops to Zlatan some 35 yards out. And then he hits it as it drops and bends a vicious volley in off the far post. It was...well, you’ll be seeing it a lot. |
| We are all living in Zlatan’s world. | We are all living in Zlatan’s world. |
| 78 mins: Husidic has changed the balance of the midfield battle and the Galaxy look exponentially stronger. Pontius has gone from a nonentity to the engine of the Galaxy comeback and now he cuts in on the byline from the right to scoop a ball towards Zlatan at the back post. it’s too high for even the Swede at his peak to do anything with but...oh good god... | 78 mins: Husidic has changed the balance of the midfield battle and the Galaxy look exponentially stronger. Pontius has gone from a nonentity to the engine of the Galaxy comeback and now he cuts in on the byline from the right to scoop a ball towards Zlatan at the back post. it’s too high for even the Swede at his peak to do anything with but...oh good god... |
| Zlatan gallops forward and his cut back is cut out but only at the expense of allowing Boateng to drift into space on the left of the box and hook a cross to the back post, where Pontius is crashing off the shoulder of the last defender to head home! What a last quarter of an hour we’re being set up for! | Zlatan gallops forward and his cut back is cut out but only at the expense of allowing Boateng to drift into space on the left of the box and hook a cross to the back post, where Pontius is crashing off the shoulder of the last defender to head home! What a last quarter of an hour we’re being set up for! |
| 74 mins: Vela not interested in the Zlatan narrative as he cuts in from the right to remind everyone he’s on a hat trick. He’s bundled off the ball near the D, and the Galaxy can break through Zlatan... | 74 mins: Vela not interested in the Zlatan narrative as he cuts in from the right to remind everyone he’s on a hat trick. He’s bundled off the ball near the D, and the Galaxy can break through Zlatan... |
| 72 mins: Ibrahimovic came on in time for a set piece that never quite got close to him, but the ball did eventually break for a free header for Pontius, that ends up straight at Miller. Momentum all the Galaxy’s right now, but how much has that own goal cost them? | 72 mins: Ibrahimovic came on in time for a set piece that never quite got close to him, but the ball did eventually break for a free header for Pontius, that ends up straight at Miller. Momentum all the Galaxy’s right now, but how much has that own goal cost them? |
| ZLATAN TIME: He’s on. For Lletget. | ZLATAN TIME: He’s on. For Lletget. |
| 70 mins: Still plenty of time for the Galaxy to find a couple of goals if they can keep LAFC out at the other end — and for what it’s worth LAFC looking cautious for the first time. | 70 mins: Still plenty of time for the Galaxy to find a couple of goals if they can keep LAFC out at the other end — and for what it’s worth LAFC looking cautious for the first time. |
| 68 mins: LAFC are back on the attack again, just to ease the little head of steam the Galaxy were building, but now Boateng is back on his toes again, and heading to the byline for another dangerous cross. It’s cut out for a corner. The Galaxy fans are chanting “We want Zlatan!” and the atmosphere has gone up several notches”. And now he does indeed have his warm up shirt off... | 68 mins: LAFC are back on the attack again, just to ease the little head of steam the Galaxy were building, but now Boateng is back on his toes again, and heading to the byline for another dangerous cross. It’s cut out for a corner. The Galaxy fans are chanting “We want Zlatan!” and the atmosphere has gone up several notches”. And now he does indeed have his warm up shirt off... |
| 66 mins: Free kick, LAFC for Galaxy some 40 yards out and central as Pontius is fouled. It’s floated to the back post where Steres in turn heads it across the six yard box towards Kamara. Moutinho gets a vital touch for a corner, and for the first time in the game look uncomfortable. | 66 mins: Free kick, LAFC for Galaxy some 40 yards out and central as Pontius is fouled. It’s floated to the back post where Steres in turn heads it across the six yard box towards Kamara. Moutinho gets a vital touch for a corner, and for the first time in the game look uncomfortable. |
| 64 mins: Husidic is on for the Galaxy as Sigi Schmid tries to think his way back into the game. Meanwhile Kitchen and Vela do a little cultural exchange mime at each other during a break in play. Referee Geiger is not interested in it though. Philistine. | 64 mins: Husidic is on for the Galaxy as Sigi Schmid tries to think his way back into the game. Meanwhile Kitchen and Vela do a little cultural exchange mime at each other during a break in play. Referee Geiger is not interested in it though. Philistine. |
| Never believe your own “OLE”s. Just as LAFC are passing the ball around, pretending to be Brazil, Carrasco barges in Feilhaber on a loose touch and pushes the ball towards Lletget, who surges forward to smack a shot inside the right post and offer a glimmer of a lifeline for the hosts, and the Galaxy’s first ever goal against LAFC. | Never believe your own “OLE”s. Just as LAFC are passing the ball around, pretending to be Brazil, Carrasco barges in Feilhaber on a loose touch and pushes the ball towards Lletget, who surges forward to smack a shot inside the right post and offer a glimmer of a lifeline for the hosts, and the Galaxy’s first ever goal against LAFC. |
| 60 mins: Blessing’s turn to pick the wrong pass with dangerous runners in front of him, and now the Galaxy can resume their spirited, if not exactly inventive, siege of the LAFC box at the other end. | 60 mins: Blessing’s turn to pick the wrong pass with dangerous runners in front of him, and now the Galaxy can resume their spirited, if not exactly inventive, siege of the LAFC box at the other end. |
| It breaks down, LAFC recover the ball and start passing it around to chants of “OLE!” from their delighted fans. That evidently sticks in the Galaxy’s craw though... | It breaks down, LAFC recover the ball and start passing it around to chants of “OLE!” from their delighted fans. That evidently sticks in the Galaxy’s craw though... |
| 58 mins: Pontius lashes a shot over the bar from outside the box. He’s done more in the first few minutes of this half than he did in the entirety of the first half. | 58 mins: Pontius lashes a shot over the bar from outside the box. He’s done more in the first few minutes of this half than he did in the entirety of the first half. |
| 56 mins: The not insignificant detail of conceding a goal immediately has rather taken the gloss off a spirited start to the second half for the Galaxy, though as yet, they haven’t turned their attacking numbers into clear cut chances. | 56 mins: The not insignificant detail of conceding a goal immediately has rather taken the gloss off a spirited start to the second half for the Galaxy, though as yet, they haven’t turned their attacking numbers into clear cut chances. |
| And now there’s one of those chances on the counter for LAFC, but for once Feilhaber, running into space in the final third, telegraphs his angled pass behind and the attack is wasted. Bob Bradley looks annoyed on the sidelines, which frankly seems...greedy. | And now there’s one of those chances on the counter for LAFC, but for once Feilhaber, running into space in the final third, telegraphs his angled pass behind and the attack is wasted. Bob Bradley looks annoyed on the sidelines, which frankly seems...greedy. |
| 54 mins: Belatedly the Galaxy look to have found some urgency in getting numbers forward, but that will just have the LAFC forwards excited at the prospect of what they can in space on the counter. Can the Galaxy at least get a goal? | 54 mins: Belatedly the Galaxy look to have found some urgency in getting numbers forward, but that will just have the LAFC forwards excited at the prospect of what they can in space on the counter. Can the Galaxy at least get a goal? |
| 52 mins: Ashley Cole left in an undignified heap on the floor by Blessing, who is brimming with confidence right now. His crossfield ball is behind Vela though. | 52 mins: Ashley Cole left in an undignified heap on the floor by Blessing, who is brimming with confidence right now. His crossfield ball is behind Vela though. |
| The Galaxy come forward and Boateng, who has at least shown willing with the ball for the hosts, earns a corner as his cross is charged down. | The Galaxy come forward and Boateng, who has at least shown willing with the ball for the hosts, earns a corner as his cross is charged down. |
| The Galaxy subs are warming up, which means Zlatan is on his feet. Not sure even he fancies any part of this. Still, it’s not expectation could get any lower for the Galaxy’s prospects in this game. | The Galaxy subs are warming up, which means Zlatan is on his feet. Not sure even he fancies any part of this. Still, it’s not expectation could get any lower for the Galaxy’s prospects in this game. |
| 50 mins: It’s that type of day for the Galaxy. After a promising start to the half, they concede on an own goal on LAFC’s first attack of the half. Urena chases down Blessing’s ball down the right, and does well to hold off Skjelvik before attempting to cut the ball back. It’s blocked by Steres but only with the result of ricocheting the ball past his own keeper. This could get out of hand for the Galaxy now... | 50 mins: It’s that type of day for the Galaxy. After a promising start to the half, they concede on an own goal on LAFC’s first attack of the half. Urena chases down Blessing’s ball down the right, and does well to hold off Skjelvik before attempting to cut the ball back. It’s blocked by Steres but only with the result of ricocheting the ball past his own keeper. This could get out of hand for the Galaxy now... |
| Never mind. | Never mind. |
| Immediately the Galaxy are on the front foot, with Boateng running up the middle before pushing the ball to his right for Pontius, who checks back to his left and catches a decent shot that is on target and forces a save from Miller to his right. It was at a nice height for the goalkeeper, but that’s maybe a small moment for the hosts to build on in these opening minutes. | Immediately the Galaxy are on the front foot, with Boateng running up the middle before pushing the ball to his right for Pontius, who checks back to his left and catches a decent shot that is on target and forces a save from Miller to his right. It was at a nice height for the goalkeeper, but that’s maybe a small moment for the hosts to build on in these opening minutes. |
| Twitter chats: | Twitter chats: |
| I wore jumpers to nightclubs for six months after that film | I wore jumpers to nightclubs for six months after that film |
| I don’t think either of us should leave the house for a bit... | I don’t think either of us should leave the house for a bit... |
| Half-time thoughts: | Half-time thoughts: |
| For real this time. Well, that was quite a start from LAFC. Vela’s first goal was sublime. His second could have killed the game just as the Galaxy were beginning to find their feet. LAFC looked sharper all over the field, while the Galaxy might charitably be described as being in early season form. It doesn’t help the hosts that they’re missing both dos Santos brothers, Alessandrini, and that Lletget is still making his way back from serious injury. Given that this is a side that looks like leaning on its ability to outscore opponents rather than shut them out, it’s perhaps no surprise to see them struggling with such a compromised attack, but they’ve done nothing to help themselves with sloppy turnovers and generally being slower all over the field. | For real this time. Well, that was quite a start from LAFC. Vela’s first goal was sublime. His second could have killed the game just as the Galaxy were beginning to find their feet. LAFC looked sharper all over the field, while the Galaxy might charitably be described as being in early season form. It doesn’t help the hosts that they’re missing both dos Santos brothers, Alessandrini, and that Lletget is still making his way back from serious injury. Given that this is a side that looks like leaning on its ability to outscore opponents rather than shut them out, it’s perhaps no surprise to see them struggling with such a compromised attack, but they’ve done nothing to help themselves with sloppy turnovers and generally being slower all over the field. |
| LAFC, for their part, will look forward to more of the same in the second half. Absorbing what limited pressure the Galaxy have managed to create with Feltscher’s crosses from the right and counter-attacking with pace and smart angled passes behind the Galaxy defense. If the Galaxy score early, it might change the complexion of the game of course, but for now Bob Bradley couldn’t ask for anything more from how this is going. | LAFC, for their part, will look forward to more of the same in the second half. Absorbing what limited pressure the Galaxy have managed to create with Feltscher’s crosses from the right and counter-attacking with pace and smart angled passes behind the Galaxy defense. If the Galaxy score early, it might change the complexion of the game of course, but for now Bob Bradley couldn’t ask for anything more from how this is going. |
| Half-time thoughts: | Half-time thoughts: |
| Actually, before we get to those, let’s note that the beautiful game is truly a global spectacle: | Actually, before we get to those, let’s note that the beautiful game is truly a global spectacle: |
| #LAvLAFC pic.twitter.com/KWAQQ4r9pw | #LAvLAFC pic.twitter.com/KWAQQ4r9pw |
| Blessing gets up a little groggily and may not get back on before half-time. Play resumes though, and there’s one more push for the Galaxy. Feltscher to the byline again and this time he drives a low cross that’s deflected for a corner. It’s headed clear, and Perry Kitchen’s awkward shot from outside the box is deflected off his own player for a goal kick that won’t be taken, because we’re at half-time. | Blessing gets up a little groggily and may not get back on before half-time. Play resumes though, and there’s one more push for the Galaxy. Feltscher to the byline again and this time he drives a low cross that’s deflected for a corner. It’s headed clear, and Perry Kitchen’s awkward shot from outside the box is deflected off his own player for a goal kick that won’t be taken, because we’re at half-time. |
| Half-time thoughts in a moment. | Half-time thoughts in a moment. |