"Son Heung-min Plays Full Match as LAFC Advances to CONCACAF Champions Cup Semifinals"

by Park Pyunghee

Published 15 Apr.2026 13:13(KST)

Updated 17 Apr.2026 08:19(KST)

Los Angeles FC (LAFC), with Son Heung-min (33) playing the full match, has advanced to the semifinals of the CONCACAF Champions Cup.

On April 15 (Korean time), LAFC drew 1-1 in the second leg of the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinal away match against Cruz Azul (Mexico), held at Cuauhtemoc Stadium in Puebla, Mexico. In the first leg held at home on April 8, LAFC secured a 3-0 win thanks to Son Heung-min's opening goal. With an aggregate score of 4-1 over the two legs, LAFC confirmed their place in the semifinals.

Son Heung-min is seen high-fiving Deni Bouanga after scoring a penalty kick to even the score 1-1 in the second leg of the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinal away match against Cruz Azul (Mexico) held at Cuauhtemoc Stadium in Puebla, Mexico on the 15th (Korean time). Photo by AP Yonhap News

Son Heung-min, who sat out the Major League Soccer (MLS) regular season match over the past weekend, started the game and contributed to the team's advancement. Having already won the first leg, LAFC focused on a defense-oriented strategy in this match, and Son Heung-min did not record any shots. This season, Son has tallied 7 assists in 6 MLS matches and has recorded 2 goals and 4 assists in 6 CONCACAF Champions Cup appearances.

LAFC conceded an early goal in the 18th minute of the first half, allowing a penalty kick to Gabriel Fernandez. However, in the second half, Deni Bouanga converted a penalty kick earned after a handball violation by the opponent, leveling the score.

LAFC's best result in this tournament to date is finishing as runners-up twice, in 2020 and 2023.

For Son Heung-min, this match also served as an opportunity to experience Mexico's high-altitude conditions in advance of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Guadalajara Akron Stadium, where the Korean national team led by coach Hong Myung-bo is scheduled to play its first and second group stage matches, is located at an altitude of 1,571 meters above sea level.

Cuauhtemoc Stadium, the venue for this CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinal on April 15, is situated at an even higher altitude of 2,160 meters above sea level compared to Akron Stadium.