'Son Heung-min's explosive multi-assist' LAFC secures dramatic 2-1 victory over Toluca... 'Green light' for Champions Cup final

*This content was translated by AI.

Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) of Major League Soccer (MLS) defeated Toluca (Mexico) to secure a favorable position for advancing to the final of the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup.

On the 30th at 11:30 a.m. (Korean time), LAFC defeated Toluca 2-1 in the first leg of the quarterfinals held at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, USA, led by Son Heung-min's 'multi-assist'.

With this victory, LAFC needs only a draw in the second leg of the quarterfinals, scheduled for 8:30 a.m. next month at Estadio Nemesio Diez in Toluca, Mexico, to reach the final. In the other quarterfinal match, Nashville SC (USA) and Tigres (Mexico) are competing for a spot in the final.

Son Heung-min, who had taken a rest four days prior and was not even included in the substitute list for the MLS 10th-round away match against Minnesota United, started as the lone striker in the front line and played the full 90 minutes today.

Although he failed to score his third goal of the season, he became the key figure in the team's victory by providing a priceless assist that broke through LAFC's stagnant attack, followed by assisting the winning goal in stoppage time of the second half. These were the 6th and 7th assists in the tournament, and the 13th and 14th assists of the season including MLS. He also rose to the top of the tournament's assist leaderboard.

Son Heung-min started as the front-line striker in a 3-4-3 formation today, forming the attack alongside Tillman and David Martinez. With Denis Bouanga, who had been part of the 'Heung-min-Denis duo', absent due to accumulation of yellow card suspensions, the burden on Son Heung-min increased.

Since the quarterfinals are played in a home-and-away format, both teams approached the match cautiously. Toluca's first shot came in the 21st minute of the first half, and LAFC did not take a shot until the 22nd minute. Son Heung-min opened LAFC's scoring attempt. After receiving the ball in the midfield area, he dribbled toward the goal and attempted a mid-range shot that caught the opponent off guard, but it missed the target.

In the 29th minute of the first half, LAFC missed a decisive opportunity. A long ball from the right flank was played into the box after a scramble, and then passed to the opposite side. Son Heung-min, positioned in the box, turned his back to the defender to create space, and Tillman connected with a non-stop shot. However, Tillman's shot from close range missed the goal, leaving LAFC with regret.

LAFC, having missed the opportunity, faced a critical goal-scoring threat in the final moments of the first half. In the 44th minute, during a corner kick situation, Nicolas Castro's powerful header was directed toward the goal. However, goalkeeper Hugo Lloris punched it away, and Jesus Gallardo's follow-up shot into the box was also blocked by Lloris's save. It was a 'super save' that saved the team.

LAFC, trailing 28% in possession and 2-6 in shots during the first half, immediately changed the momentum at the start of the second half. Jacob Shaffelburg's ground ball cross from the left flank headed toward the goal but missed Son Heung-min's foot, leaving LAFC with regret. Sergio Palencia's header, connecting with a cross from the right flank, also went wide of the goal.

LAFC, which had built up momentum in the second half, finally reaped the rewards in the 6th minute. A cross from the right flank deflected off a defender and flowed toward the goal, where Son Heung-min calmly lofted it backward. Tillman finished with a right-footed shot, shaking the net. This was the moment when LAFC's first effective shot of the day resulted in a goal.

LAFC appeared to extend their lead just two minutes after the opening goal. Son Heung-min's pass to the right flank served as the catalyst, and Shaffelburg, the wingback on the opposite side, finished off Palencia's ground ball cross from the flank. However, the goal was disallowed after video review due to an offside call on Marco Delgado, who was in the box during the pass.

LAFC, having swallowed their regret, increased their possession to seek another goal. However, in the 28th minute of the second half, they suffered a counterattack. Jesus Angulo, receiving a pass from Paulinho, fired a right-footed shot from the edge of the box into the LAFC goal. Since this tournament follows the away goals rule, the goal was fatal for LAFC.

After conceding the equalizer, LAFC struggled to change the momentum. Like in the first half, they focused on stability and attempted counterattacks, resulting in a frustrating flow of play. Instead, Toluca, which had scored away, increased their possession and took control. Due to the team's frustrating tactics, Son Heung-min found it difficult to make his presence felt.

However, in stoppage time of the second half, Son Heung-min's right foot shone once again. A sharp free kick delivered from the left inside the penalty area led to a header goal by Enciso Tapari. In the end, the match concluded with a 2-1 victory for LAFC. This victory, which turned on the green light for the CONCACAF Champions Cup final, was centered around Son Heung-min's two priceless assists.

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*This content was translated by AI.