*This content was translated by AI.
Son Heung-min's (34) club, LAFC, secured two points after a grueling extra-time penalty shootout victory against Querétaro FC.
On the 13th at 11:30 a.m. (Korean time), LAFC played against Mexico's Querétaro in the third group stage match of the 2026 Leagues Cup at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, California. The teams finished regulation time with a 1-1 draw before LAFC won via penalty shootout (PSO 5-3). Under tournament rules, LAFC earned two additional points for winning the shootout.
Starting the match as a forward, Son Heung-min played the full 90 minutes but was tightly marked by opponents, extending his goalless streak in the Leagues Cup to three consecutive matches.
LAFC deployed a 4-3-3 formation with Son Heung-min leading the attack, flanked by Denis Bouanga and Jacob Shaffelburg on both wings. Mark Delgado, Mathieu Choinière, and Jude Terry anchored the midfield, while Eddie Segura, Yucoshi Tapia, Ryan Porteous, and Ryan Laposa formed the back four. Hugo Lloris guarded the goal.
The match unfolded with unexpected momentum from the start. Querétaro, which had recorded no goals and conceded five in their previous two matches to sit at the bottom of the standings, took an early lead. In the 12th minute, although goalkeeper Lloris saved a right-footed mid-range shot from the right side, Ali Abila surged into the box and headed the ball home to make it 1-0.
Meanwhile, LAFC struggled against Querétaro's physical defense and intense close marking. Son Heung-min also faced difficulties creating effective shots as opponents frequently grabbed his jersey while he was receiving or turning with the ball. The first half ended with Querétaro leading 1-0.
Immediately after the second half began, LAFC made a tactical shift by substituting Terry and Shaffelburg for Timothy Tillman and David Martínez to seek a turnaround.
As LAFC intensified their attack, they equalized in the 12th minute of the second half. Son Heung-min held off defensive pressure in the final third before passing the ball wide; Bouanga then surged into the box from the right flank and finished with a left-footed non-stop shot to level the score at 1-1.
Son Heung-min later had a critical chance that unfortunately fell short. In the 26th minute, he connected a low cross with a right-footed shot, but it struck his foot inaccurately and went straight toward the goalkeeper. Shortly after, in the 31st minute, a surprise right-footed mid-range shot also sailed wide of the right post.
Querétaro significantly increased their defensive numbers to prevent further goals, and regulation time ended in a 1-1 draw. The match proceeded directly to a penalty shootout.
LAFC's concentration shone during the penalty shootout. First-kicker Bouanga cleanly converted with a right-footed shot, followed by Son Heung-min, who took the second kick. Son Heung-min fired a powerful right-footed shot into the right side of the net, completely fooling the goalkeeper.
Both teams successfully converted their first three kicks, but the outcome was decided at the fourth-kicker stage. Querétaro's fourth-kicker struck the crossbar forcefully and missed. Seizing the opportunity, LAFC cleanly scored through their fifth kicker to secure victory in the penalty shootout.
After the match against Querétaro, LAFC is set to embark on a grueling schedule, playing four matches over ten days, including three consecutive MLS regular league games on the 16th, 20th, and 23rd.
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*This content was translated by AI.
