'Son Heung-min at the 86th minute → regretful goalless silence': LAFC secures a narrow victory after penalties, defeating 'Mexican powerhouse' Chivas

*This content was translated by AI.

After equalizing, LAFC substituted Son Heung-min (34) and secured a dramatic victory via penalties.

On the 6th at 11:30 a.m. Korean time, LAFC defeated Chivas Guadalajara (Mexico) in a closely contested match during the 2026 League Cup Round 1 at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, California, USA, winning 5-4 in penalties after a 1-1 draw.

LAFC earned two points from the penalty shootout victory, while Chivas secured one point.

On this day, LAFC deployed Son Heung-min as the central striker. Denis Bouanga and David Martinez lined up on both flanks, forming a triangle formation with Son Heung-min. The midfield trio consisted of Timothy Tillman, Mark Delgado, and Mathieu Choiniere, while the back four was composed of Evgeni Cheberko, Enock Tafari, Ryan Porteous, and Ryan Hollingshead. Thomas Hasal wore the goalkeeper gloves.

In the early stages of the match, LAFC struggled against Chivas' intense high pressing, leading to a frustrating flow. As Chivas pushed their defensive line higher to apply strong pressure, LAFC faced difficulties in building up play from the back, forcing Son Heung-min, who started as the central striker, to drop deep into his own half to receive the ball and find openings.

LAFC succeeded in seizing the initiative. In the 39th minute of the first half, Bouanga surged forward to meet a pinpoint cross delivered by Martinez and finished with his right foot, sending Chivas' goal netting rippling.

Chivas quickly restored balance. Just three minutes later, in the 42nd minute of the first half, Alvarado seized the ball amid chaos in front of the goal and drilled a sharp right-footed shot into the far corner of LAFC's net. Both teams ended the first half tied at 1-1.

The intense back-and-forth continued throughout the second half. In the 7th minute of the second half, Martinez broke through on the flank and attempted a sharp right-footed shot, but it was saved by the opposing goalkeeper, leaving LAFC with regret.

As time progressed, Chivas gradually took control of the match. Launching relentless attacks in LAFC's half, they forced LAFC to rely on counterattacks while struggling to maintain momentum. To change the sluggish flow, LAFC substituted Martinez and Tillman for Jude Terry and Jacob Shaffelburg in the 29th minute of the second half, making a decisive tactical move.

Son Heung-min, known for his exceptional goal-scoring touch, was thwarted by an outstanding save from the opposing goalkeeper, leaving him with regret. In the 30th minute of the second half, Son Heung-min received a signature free-kick opportunity directly in front of the arc and curled a powerful right-footed shot toward the far left corner of the goal. However, Raul Rangel, the Mexican national team goalkeeper who had faced South Korea during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers for North America, Central America, and the Caribbean, dove to make a crucial save, preventing a goal. Ultimately, no additional goals were scored during regular time, and the match proceeded to penalties.

In the penalty shootout, Chivas' first kicker, Kevin Castaneda, missed wide to the left. In contrast, LAFC's first kicker, Bouanga, cleanly finished into the far right corner of the goal. While both teams' second kickers successfully converted their attempts, LAFC fell behind after Delgado missed his third-kick opportunity. The fourth and fifth kickers from both sides then scored successfully.

The outcome was decided at the sixth kicker stage. Hasal, LAFC's goalkeeper, saved the shot from Chivas' sixth kicker, Luis Romo, who had scored the winning goal against South Korea during the 2026 World Cup qualifiers for North America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Subsequently, Jude Terry, LAFC's final kicker, scored to seal the victory.

Following this League Cup Round 1 match, LAFC faces a demanding schedule. Upcoming fixtures include matches against Mexican clubs Toluca on the 9th and Queretaro on the 13th, followed by games against San Diego FC on the 16th, Colorado on the 20th, and Portland on the 23rd, requiring them to play every three to four days in a grueling run.

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*This content was translated by AI.