WATCH: Zlatan Ibrahimovic hat trick vs. Sporting KC

The Lion of Los Angeles is starting to heat up.

Perhaps it is fitting that on Laker Night, the team performed like champions. Zlatan Ibrahimovic led the way with an impressive hat trick as the LA Galaxy steamrolled Sporting Kansas City by a 7-2 margin Sunday night at Dignity Health Sports Park.

Ibrahimovic has now scored 26 goals this 2019 campaign, elevating the big Swede to 2nd in the Golden Root race just behind LAFC’s Carlos Vela for the lead with four matches remaining.

Zlatan got started in the 32nd minute, missing a penalty kick attempt after the excellent Tim Melia dove low but managing to corral the rebound into the net. In the second half Zlatan would be clinical twice more as LA wound up putting seven past Melia in all.

Guillermo Barros Schelotto’s group next battle a Montreal Impact team which have looked a shadow of their former selves since dismissing manager Remi Garde.