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Ibrahimovic-esque goal lights up Champions League

Bicycle kick goals from outside the box are becoming something of a trend in international football it seems.

AC Milan defender Philippe Mexes emulated Zlatan Ibrahimovic when he nailed an exquisite overhead bicycle kick to help his side into the last 16 of the Champions League.

Mexes chested up the ball on the edge of the area and sent a dipping bicycle kick into the far corner of the net to stun opposition Anderlecht and prompt immediate comparisons to Ibrahimovic's goal for Sweden again England earlier this month.

Milan opened the scoring when Stephan El Shaarawy, the leading scorer in Italy's Serie A, found himself alone in front of goal in the 47th minute after a cross into the box by Mattia De Sciglio and calmly clipped the ball home.

Mexes, hardly known for his goals, added the second in the 71st minute with his piece of magic shortly after the Belgian league leaders were reduced to 10 men when Bram Nuytinck was sent off for a foul on Alexandre Pato.

Tom De Sutter pulled one back for the hosts in the 77th minute but Anderlecht's hopes of remaining in the Champions League were over when Pato sealed their fate by converting a pass from El Shaarawy in injury time.

"I don't remember what expression I made," Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri told Mediaset TV in reference to Mexes' goal.

"Philippe scored a great goal but honestly I thought the ball went over."

If you didn't see Ibrahimovic's goal earlier check it out below.