'Worst Day' Son Heung-min, Zero Shots, Lowest Rating, and Providing the Opportunity for a Goal... Only Regrets from the Hellish High-Altitude Away Match at 2,670 Meters in Mexico

*This content was translated by AI.

Son Heung-min (34, LAFC), who played at an altitude of 2,670 meters in Mexico, received the lowest rating.

On the 7th (Korean time), LAFC suffered a 0-4 defeat to Toluca (Mexico) in the second leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinals held at Estadio Nemesio Diez in Toluca, Mexico.

Having won the first leg at home 2-1, LAFC allowed a comeback with a combined score of 2-5 across both legs, failing to advance to the final. LAFC, which had finished as runners-up in the 2020 and 2023 tournaments, aimed for its first club title but will have to wait for another opportunity.

In contrast, Toluca, which won the tournament twice in 1968 and 2003, is challenging for the title for the first time in 23 years. They will face Tigres UNAL (Mexico), which defeated Nashville (USA) to reach the final, in a single decisive match on the 30th.

Son Heung-min started as the central striker in LAFC's 3-4-3 formation, forming a triangle with Denis Bouanga and Timothy Tillman. However, despite playing the full 90 minutes, he failed to take a single shot.

According to the football statistics specialist 'FootMob', Son Heung-min had only 35 touches, a 70% pass completion rate (16/23), and created two chances. FootMob awarded Son Heung-min the lowest rating of 5.3 among all starting players from both teams.

Given the high altitude of 2,670 meters, LAFC opted to focus on defense and launch counterattacks. They had a decisive chance to take the lead in the 8th minute of the first half, but the finish was lacking. Bouanga's shot in a one-on-one situation slipped between the goalkeeper's legs, and Tillman, who rushed in, shot toward the empty net but missed over the crossbar.

Toluca's relentless attack continued afterward, but the goalposts saved LAFC twice. In the 20th minute of the first half, Marcel Luis's long-range shot glanced off goalkeeper Joris and struck the left post. In the 34th minute, Nicolas Castro's shot also hit the right post hard.

LAFC seemed to struggle with the physical demands of the high-altitude environment, facing difficulties in their offensive play. Counterattacks led by Son Heung-min and Bouanga also failed to result in threatening chances.

LAFC was dominated in shots, 4 to 18, and in shots on target, 1 to 6, during the first half, yet they managed to finish the half without conceding a goal.

The balance of the match collapsed as soon as the second half began. In the 1st minute of the second half, LAFC's Ryan Hollingshead committed a foul inside the penalty box, conceding a penalty kick. Toluca's kicker, Eliny, calmly scored to take the lead.

Momentum shifted to Toluca, who quickly scored another goal. In the 12th minute of the second half, Lopez blocked Delgado's pass and immediately unleashed a powerful long-range shot, which found the back of the LAFC net.

To make matters worse, LAFC faced the setback of a red card. In the 40th minute of the second half, defender Porteous was shown a direct red card while attempting to stop a decisive scoring opportunity for the opponent, leaving them at a numerical disadvantage.

LAFC, having completely lost their will, conceded two goals to Paulinho in stoppage time of the second half, resulting in a 0-4 defeat. During the process of Paulinho's second goal, Son Heung-min lost possession of the ball, providing the opportunity for the goal.

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*This content was translated by AI.