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Ibrahimovic becomes oldest Serie A scorer but AC Milan loses

Milan's Zlatan Ibrahimovic, left, celebrates after scoring to 1-1 during the Serie A soccer match between Udinese Calcio and AC Milan at the Friuli stadium in Udine, Italy, Saturday March 18, 2023. (Andrea Bressanutti/LaPresse via AP)

ROME (AP) — Zlatan Ibrahimovic became the oldest scorer in Serie A history at age 41 but had little else to celebrate after AC Milan was beaten 3-1 at Udinese on Saturday.

The result extended Milan’s winless streak to three matches in the Italian league.

Roberto Pereyra, Beto and Kingsley Ehizibue scored for Udinese.

Defending champion Milan was beaten by Fiorentina and held to a draw by Salernitana in its previous two Serie A matches, while advancing to the Champions League quarterfinals with a 1-0 aggregate win over Tottenham.

The loss left Milan in fourth place and in danger of losing its grasp on the final Champions League spot, while Udinese moved up to eighth.

Pereyra put Udinese ahead after Lazar Samardzic intercepted a poor pass by Milan midfielder Ismael Bennacer.

Udinese's Roberto Pereyra, right, celebrates with team mate after scoring to 1-0 during the Serie A soccer match between Udinese Calcio and AC Milan at the Friuli stadium in Udine, Italy, Saturday March 18, 2023. (Andrea Bressanutti/LaPresse via AP)

Ibrahimovic equalized momentarily with a penalty that was retaken for encroachment after his first effort was saved. At 41 years and 166 days, Ibrahimovic beat the previous record for oldest scorer held by Alessandro Costacurta, who was 41 years and 25 days when he scored in 2007 — also for Milan with a penalty against Udinese.

Having recently returned from knee surgery, Ibrahimovic started for the first time since January of last year.

Milan's Zlatan Ibrahimovic, second from right, scores to 1-1 during the Serie A soccer match between Udinese Calcio and AC Milan at the Friuli stadium in Udine, Italy, Saturday March 18, 2023. (Andrea Bressanutti/LaPresse via AP)

Beto quickly restored Udinese’s advantage from close range in a wild end to the first half, and Ehizibue sealed it midway through the second half.

Also, Bologna was held to a 2-2 draw at Salernitana, and Monza and Cremonese drew 1-1.

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