Zlatan Ibrahimovic created two goals in the first half before being sent off after an hour as AC Milan beat Parma 3-1 on Saturday to keep their Champions League hopes alive.

When his team was two goals up, the 39-year-old Swede was sent off for arguing with the referee at the Stadio Ennio Tardini. Parma's relegation-threatened Riccardo Gagliolo equalized minutes after Ibrahimovic's dismissal, but Milan held on amid some late scares, with Rafael Leao scoring a third in injury time. Milan has narrowed the gap to eight points on leaders Inter, who host Cagliari on Sunday.

Milan is aiming to return to the Champions League for the first time since the 2013-2014 season under Stefano Pioli.

Juventus, who are four points back Milan in the third position, will host Genoa on Sunday, while fourth-placed Atalanta will visit Fiorentina.

Luigi Sepe had earlier denied Franck Kessie before Ibrahimovic had sent the ball through for Rebic, who turned and shot home the game's first goal in the ninth minute. Ibrahimovic then linked up with Theo Hernandez to set up Kessie for the second goal just before halftime.

Five minutes into the second half, Milan goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma saved an Andrea Conti header and Graziano Pelle's follow-up.

Ibrahimovic was sent off for remarking the referee about a midfield incident in which he was not involved. Parma was given a lifeline when Gagliolo scored against Donnarumma, who made some vital late saves before Leao added a third. Milan will be without Ibrahimovic for their next two home games against Genoa and Sassuolo, as Pioli's side looks to win for the first time in over two months at the San Siro.

On April 26, Ibrahimovic will travel to Lazio, a top-four competitor. Before the match, club director Paolo Maldini said that Ibrahimovic was close to extending his deal with Milan for another season.

Since his return to Milan in January last year, the Swedish international, who turns 40 in October, has been credited with resurrecting the club as a title contender.

“There is minor information missing for Ibrahimovic, and we are very near to renewal,” Maldini said. Despite coping with injury and illness, Ibrahimovic, who led Milan to their last Scudetto in 2011, is the club's top scorer with 15 goals in 17 league games this season.

Meanwhile, Spezia scored two goals in the final minutes to finish a 3-2 comeback victory over Crotone, who were in the last place. Spezia moved 10 points clear of the relegation zone after Martin Erlic scored and set up another score. Crotone remained nine points behind Torino in 17th position, which will play Udinese later.

Crotone scored a stunning goal five minutes before halftime to break the deadlock. With his back to goal and on the edge of the penalty area, Koffi Djidji chested the ball down and scored on the turn with a half-volley that looped over the goalkeeper and beneath the crossbar. In the 63rd minute, Daniele Verde equalized, but 15 minutes later, Simy restored Crotone's lead.

Crotone seemed to be on the verge of winning for the first time in three games, but Erli found an unmarked Giulio Maggiore in the 89th minute to stabilize.

Erlic scored the game-winning goal three minutes later. Ardian Ismajli hit the post with a header, and Erli nodded in the recovered from short quarters.