THE BLOG BY CPD FOOTBALL | The World of Indian football and beyond by Chris Punnakkattu Daniel

Zlatan Ibrahimovic: It’s both luck and skill

Zlatan Ibrahimović

It was a memorable night for the Swedish national team, the Friends Arena and an individual player named Ibrahimović… Zlatan Ibrahimović!

The Swedish national team took on England in an international friendly match which marked the official opening of the brand new Friends Arena in Stockholm last night. Sweden won the match 4-2 courtesy to four goals by superstar Zlatan Ibrahimović.

Zlatan Ibrahimović gave the “Blågult” (the Blue-Yellow) the lead in the 20th minute, but England hit back twice with goals from Danny Welbeck (35th) and Steven Caulker (38th).

It seemed like the “Three Lions” would secure a unspectacular win at the new arena in the Swedish capital. But Ibrahimović had an different idea of the outcome of the game and started a spectacular one-man show in front of 49,967 fans.

The Paris Saint-Germain striker scored a second half hat trick (77th, 84th, 90th) to give the home side a 4-2 win. Ibrahimović last goal was a stunning overhead kick which has been termed as a goal from ‘a video game’ by Swedish coach Erik Hamren.

I’ve seen many football matches in my career, but I have to say that the goal is certainly one of the best goals of the last decade. Ibrahimović acrobatically volleyed home Joe Hart’s headed clearance from 30 yards.

Talking to the media after the match, the 31-year old sriker told: “When I saw the goalkeeper was out, I tried to put it against the goal, and luckily it went in. It’s both luck and skill.”

Please watch the VIDEO CLIP and tell me YOUR thoughts and comments on Ibrahimović’s GOAL OF THE YEAR! Just post your feedback in the comment box at the bottom of this page!