"90 minutes of frustration. The last minute of it shined."' Son Heung-min, who made PK, "No Look Pass"... LAFC to lead Champions Cup semifinals

*This content was translated by AI.

Son Heung-min (34)'s fantastic 'no-look pass' led LAFC to a draw.

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 Heung-min started as a front-line one-top striker in the 4-2-3-1 formation and played full season, but failed to score an offensive point. The shooting was all about one free kick on the defensive wall in the middle of the second half.

In the extra time of the second half, when the game was likely to end without much performance, Son Heung-min's "no-look pass" shone. Son Heung-min, who was dribbling through the penalty box, stabbed an exquisite penetration pass toward Jacob Schaeffelberg, who was rushing to the gate. When Schaeffelberg shot right away, the ball hit the opponent's defender's hand, and the referee declared PK.

Son Heung-min, who continued to catch the ball, was expected to kick PK. However, Son Heung-min conceded PK to Buanga, and Buanga shook the net with a shot that deceived the goalkeeper's direction.

According to "Foot Mob," which specializes in soccer statistics, Son Heung-min recorded one shot, one opportunity creation, and a 77% success rate (10/13) pass. Due to the cut off of the second-line pass supply at the front line, there were only 24 blitzes.

Footmob gave Son Heung-min the lowest rating of 6.2 for both teams. The highest rating among LAFC players was goalkeeper Lloris (8.0).

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 PK after VAR. Fernandez, who played kicker, shook the net with a shot that completely deceived goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.

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.

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.

In the extra time of the second half, LAFC scored the starting point PK for Son Heung-min's pass and Buanga scored the equalizer. The match ended in a 1-1 draw, and LAFC reached the semifinals of the tournament for the first time in three years.

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*This content was translated by AI.