* Translated by Papago

Oh my god! Son Heung-min is in the last place in the score point for PK... LAFC to advance to Champions Cup semifinals 1-1 draw with Cruz Asul

Updated:

Park Jaeho

*This content was translated by AI.

LAFC striker Son Heung-min controls the ball in the second leg of the quarterfinals of the '2026 North American Caribbean Football Confederation (CONCACAF) Champions Cup' against Cruz Asul at Estadio Cuautemok in Puebola, Mexico, at 10 a.m. on the 15th (Korea time). /AFPBBNews=News1
LAFC striker Son Heung-min controls the ball in the second leg of the quarterfinals of the '2026 North American Caribbean Football Confederation (CONCACAF) Champions Cup' against Cruz Asul at Estadio Cuautemok in Puebola, Mexico, at 10 a.m. on the 15th (Korea time). /AFPBBNews=News1

LA FC striker Son Heung-min (34) played a full season as the front-line one-top, but remained silent.

LAFC drew 1-1 in the second leg of the quarterfinals of the '2026 North American Caribbean Football Confederation (CONCACAF) Champions Cup' against Cruz Asul (Mexico) at Estadio Cuautemok in Puebola, Mexico, at 10 a.m. on the 15th (Korea time).

LAFC, which won 3-0 in the first round, advanced to the semifinals of the tournament for the first time in three years with a 4-1 aggregate score lead due to the draw.

Son started as the front-line one-top striker in the 4-2-3-1 formation. In the second line, Dnie Buanga, Timothy Tillman and David Martinez supported Son Heung-min.

LAFC got off to a shaky start in the 18th minute of the first half by giving up the first goal. Sergiy Palencia pushed Gabriel Fernandez in a corner, and the referee declared a penalty (PK) after VAR. Fernandez, who played kicker, shook the net with a shot that completely deceived goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.

LAFC, which continued to flow, scored its first shot in the 27th minute of the first half. Martinez caught the ball from behind the arc circle, folded the opponent, and shot right away, but it went off the goal.

Son Heung-min stepped up as a one-top striker, but as the second line's pass supply was cut off, the scene of isolation was repeated without a meaningful opportunity to touch the ball at the front line.

As a result of the end of the first half, LAFC only hit one shot. On the other hand, Cruz Asul, who took advantage of the 2,130-meter-high home stadium, led the game by hitting 16 shots.

Son Heung-min is practicing shooting before the game. /AFPBBNews=News1
Son Heung-min is practicing shooting before the game. /AFPBBNews=News1
 LAFC finished behind 0-1 in the first half. The photo shows Dnie Vuanga (centre) competing for a ball. /Photo = LAFC Official SNS
LAFC finished behind 0-1 in the first half. The photo shows Dnie Vuanga (centre) competing for a ball. /Photo = LAFC Official SNS

The lull continued in the second half. Cruz Asul, who needed to score multiple points, worked hard for an additional goal, and LAFC ran the game as hard as possible. Until the early and mid-half of the second half, Son Heung-min was hardly able to catch the ball.

In the 26th minute of the second half, Kruse Asul Jeremy Marquez pushed Son Heung-min over regardless of the ball, drawing attention.

Son Heung-min scored his first shot in a free kick situation. In the 27th minute of the second half, LAFC scored a free kick from the left side. Son Heung-min, who played as a kicker, was strongly wrapped, but was caught in the defensive wall.

Until the end of the second half, Cruz Asul increased his ball possession and hit several threatening shots, but was blocked by "Veteran" goalkeeper Lloris. In the end, Gonzalo Povi was sent off by Buanga for an excessive tackle in the second half of extra time, putting cold water on the chase.

LAFC scored the equalizer in extra time in the second half. Son Heung-min's "no-look pass" was the starting point and PK was declared. Son Heung-min poked a penetration pass toward Jacob Schaeffelberg, who was rushing to the gate. Then, a handball foul was declared during Schaeffelberg's shooting. Son Heung-min conceded PK, and Buanga, who played as a kicker, shook the net with an exquisite shot.

Eight minutes of extra time in the second half passed, and the game ended in a 1-1 draw.

Potmob, which specializes in soccer statistics, gave Son the lowest rating of 6.2 in both teams. LAFC's highest rating is 8.0 for goalkeeper Lloris.

LAFC starting lineup. /Photo = LAFC official SNS
LAFC starting lineup. /Photo = LAFC official SNS

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*This content was translated by AI.

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