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Zlatan Ibrahimovic winner shatters Southampton's EFL Cup final dreams

Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored twice as Manchester United beat Southampton 3-2 at Wembley in the EFL C...



Zlatan Ibrahimovic winner shat...
Soccer

Zlatan Ibrahimovic winner shatters Southampton's EFL Cup final dreams

Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored twice as Manchester United beat Southampton 3-2 at Wembley in the EFL Cup final. 

The Swede headed in late on to give United the League Cup trophy for the fifth time in their history.

Southampton should have been 1-0 up in the early stages when Manolo Gabbiadini converted from close range after an excellent low cross from the right.

But the linesman incorrectly ruled it out for offisde. 

Man United took advantage soon after as Ibrahimovic made his mark.

Lining up a free kick 30 yards out from goal, the striker curled his effort past Fraser Forster on 19 minutes.

Seven minutes before half time, Jesse Lingard made it 2-0. Receiving the ball centrally in the box, the United midfielder placed his shot into the bottom corner to extend United's lead.

Southampton's Manolo Gabbiadini celebrates scoring his side's second goal of the game during the EFL Cup Final at Wembley Stadium, London. Picture by Nick Potts PA Wire/PA Images

But Gabbiadini gave the Saints a lifeline. Another ball from the right by James Ward-Prowse made its way across and the in form Italian forward gobbled up the chance to leave the scores at 2-1 heading into the break.

When the match resumed, Gabbiadini struck again. Keeping Chris Smalling at bay, the Southampton January signing, swivelled and fired an effort that beat David De Gea and levelled the scores at 2-2.

They had a chance to go 3-2 up as Oriel Romeu headed an effort towards goal from a corner but watched his effort come back off the frame of the goal. 

With seven minutes to go, Southampton introduced Ireland striker Shane Long with the game in the balance.

But it was Ibrahimovic who had the final say as he headed in an Ander Herrera cross from point blank range to make it 3-2, shortly after Southampton had fashioned some tantalising half chances. 

United held on to claim the trophy and leave Southampton trophy-less since winning the 1976 FA Cup final.

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