Son Heung-min's anger failed to exchange uniforms with Messi → Why... a stiff face despite a great historical victory

*This content was translated by AI.

Los Angeles FC (LAFC) ace Son Heung-min (34) showed off his extraordinary desire to win by venting his anger at the replacement order even after winning his first historic showdown with Lionel Messi (39, Inter Miami). The broadcast screen captured the scene of the team's victory by recording help, but showing a strong regret for failing to play full-time without scoring.

Son Heung-min's team LAFC defeated Messi's Miami 3-0 in the opening round of the first round of the U.S. Major League Soccer MLS at the LA Memorial Coliseum in LA, California, USA at 11:30 a.m. on the 22nd (Korea time). LAFC, ranked third in the Eastern Conference last season, announced a pleasant start with an overwhelming performance against Miami, the defending MLS Cup champion. In particular, Son Heung-min tasted the joy of winning against Messi's team for the first time in career history.

However, despite the historic victory, there was a strange tension at the end of the game. When Marc dos Santos replaced Son Heung-min in the 43rd minute of the second half, Son Heung-min, who was coming into the bench, reacted somewhat nervously, kicking a water bottle. He recorded help, but he couldn't hide his feelings when he failed to play full-time without scoring directly. It was a glimpse of Son Heung-min's fierce competitive desire to score until the end even though he confirmed his victory.

Son Heung-min also had an overwhelming victory over Messi in his individual performance. According to the statistical media 'Foot Mob', Son Heung-min scored 8.2 points with 1 assistance, 3 key passes, 3 big opportunities creation, 86% pass success rate, and 2 dribbles (100%). Messi, on the other hand, scored only 6.9 points. Messi attempted four shots, but did not have a single effective shot, and was sluggish, with all three crosses missing. "Sofa Score" also gave Son Heung-min 8.2 points and Messi 6.6 points.

Meanwhile, Messi's uniform was occupied by Son Heung-min's LAFC partner Dennis Buanga. After the game, Messi and Buanga exchanged uniforms and hugged each other, creating a warm atmosphere.

In the match against Miami, Son Heung-min started as a central striker in a 4-3-3 formation and spent 88 minutes on the ground until he was replaced in the 43rd minute of the second half. Buanga and David Martinez were on both wings to work with Son Heung-min, while Marco Delgado, Timothy Tillman and Stephen Eustachio were in charge of the midfield. Sergiy Palencia, Nkosi Tapari, Ryan Porteous and Eddie Segura built the four-back, and Hugo Lloris defended the goal.

Miami launched a 4-2-3-1 formation, putting Messi as an attacking midfielder. Luis Suarez stood by on the bench and Hermann Wertherame stepped up as one-top. Terrasco Segovia and Matteo Silvetti were flanked, with Rodrigo De Paul and Yannick Bright in the third line. The four backs were made up by Noah Allen, Michael, Maximiliano Falcon and Ian Frey, while Dane St Clare wore goalkeeper gloves.

LAFC took the lead early in the game. In the 6th minute of the first half, Son Heung-min even beat the goalkeeper and gave a pass to Buanga, who was rushing, creating a decisive opportunity, but the shot was blocked by the goalkeeper's good defense. Messi fought back by exchanging one-two passes with De Paul, but failed to penetrate LAFC's hand-to-hand defense.

Son Heung-min, who showed a sharp breakthrough, came forward as a troubleshooter himself. In the 38th minute of the first half, Son Heung-min's unique sharp through pass completely destroyed Miami's back space, and Martinez calmly connected to the goal and scored the first winning goal. After the loss, Messi came down to the half-line and coordinated the game to pull the reins of the attack, but the first half ended without additional points.

In the 14th minute of the second half, there was a dizzying scene in which Messi collided with the defense and collapsed by holding the back of his neck. After overcoming the crisis, LAFC ran away in the 28th minute of the second half when Buanga beat the goalkeeper in a counterattack. Miami threw Suarez in the 36th minute, but rather collapsed, allowing Ordaz a net in the fourth minute of extra time in the second half.

In the past, the two players faced each other twice in the group stage of the UEFA Champions League in the 2018-2019 season. In the first game at the time, Son Heung-min scored one assist and Messi scored two goals, but in this reunion on the U.S. stage, Son Heung-min was ahead in both team wins and ratings, wiping out the disappointment.

According to the MLS Secretariat, more than 75,000 spectators gathered at the stadium. Messi recently returned to training after overcoming injury concerns, but failed to break the momentum of Son Heung-min, who had been showing off his peak skills, scoring 9.6 points with one goal and three assists in an away match in Honduras. Son Heung-min, who ranked second overall in the league after Messi (68.9 minutes) in offensive point productivity per minute immediately after joining the team last season, proved once again that he is the best striker on the U.S. stage through a complete victory in the opening game.

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*This content was translated by AI.