"Son, don't you need an oxygen tank?" Son Heung-min heads to Mexico at an altitude of 2,670 meters, aiming to score his third goal of the season and lead his team to the final from the "hell" of high altitude.

*This content was translated by AI.

Son Heung-min (34, LAFC), who is taking on the "hellish away trip," aims to secure his team's spot in the final and score his third goal of the season simultaneously.

LAFC will travel to Estadio Nemesio Diez in Toluca, Mexico, for the second leg of the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup semi-finals against Toluca (Mexico) at 10:30 a.m. (Korean time) on the 7th.

The biggest variable is the "hellish" altitude. The venue, Estadio Nemesio Diez, is located at 2,670 meters above sea level and is notorious by the nickname "El Infierno" (Hell). In fact, Toluca has allowed only one loss (11 wins, 5 draws) in 17 home games this season, showcasing the imposing stature of an "away graveyard."

Marc Dos Santos, LAFC's head coach, who is well aware of this, has taken measures to manage Son Heung-min's physical condition. On the 3rd, he boldly excluded Son Heung-min from the starting lineup in the regular league away match against San Diego FC. Son Heung-min, who finally stepped onto the field in the 15th minute of the second half, managed to assist the equalizing goal, contributing to the team's dramatic 2-2 draw.

Even Son Heung-min, who has conquered global stages such as the English Premier League (EPL), finds Mexico's high-altitude terrain no easy task. During the second leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup round of 16 against Cruz Azul last month at an altitude of 2,130 meters, Son Heung-min played the full 90 minutes but struggled, managing only 24 touches and one shot. At the time, he received little passing support from teammates, and the effects of the high altitude caused his signature explosive speed to vanish, resulting in heavy overall movement.

However, Son Heung-min's high-altitude experience has become a valuable asset, given the upcoming 2026 CONCACAF World Cup. South Korea will face host nation Mexico in Group A, with the venue, Akron Stadium, located at a high altitude of 1,570 meters.

Fortunately, Son Heung-min has already played a full 90 minutes at an altitude approximately 560 meters higher than the actual World Cup stage, receiving a definitive preventive measure. Ultimately, how well Son Heung-min, a key player for the national team, adapts to high-altitude conditions has emerged as a major variable determining the team's performance in the World Cup.

Attention now turns to the match against Toluca. Earlier, LAFC secured a 2-1 victory in the first leg at home on the 30th of last month, thanks to Son Heung-min's outstanding performance with two assists. Son Heung-min, who has showcased peak form with two goals and 15 assists in 16 official matches this season, is preparing to activate his scoring prowess after about a month.

Coach Dos Santos stated, "We know how difficult the Toluca away trip is," but added, "We have reached this point purely through our skill. We hope tomorrow night will become a special memory, and we will definitely reach the final stage."

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*This content was translated by AI.