'Korean Zombie' Jung Chan-sung (39) met superstar Son Heung-min (34, LAFC).
LAFC beat Real España 1-0 on the 25th (Korean time) at BMO Stadium in the United States in the second leg of the first round of the 2026 Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) Champions Cup. LAFC advanced to the Champions Cup second round after defeating Real España by an aggregate score of 7-1.
UFC star Jung Chan-sung appeared at the stadium that day. LAFC's social media released photos of Jung Chan-sung visiting BMO Stadium to cheer for Son Heung-min.
Jung Chan-sung wore a custom LAFC jersey with "Zombie" written on it. Many Korean fans recognized Jung Chan-sung and asked for photos and autographs. Jung Chan-sung mingled with fans and cheered for Son Heung-min.
After the match, Jung Chan-sung met Son Heung-min in person and took a commemorative photo. The LAFC club also sent a message saying, "We thank the Korean Zombie who flew from Korea to cheer for LAFC."
Ace Son Heung-min started the match but was substituted after only the first half. Son Heung-min was isolated at the top, with only five passes in the final third. In the end, Son Heung-min was substituted without registering a single shot.
Son Heung-min's partner Denis Bouanga was also substituted after only the first half. Attention focused on the reason coach Steve Dos Santos took off his ace early. If LAFC had lost, it would have been a major controversy.
After the match, LAFC coach Steve Dos Santos actively explained, seemingly mindful of rumors of a rift with Son Heung-min. He said, "We originally planned to play Son Heung-min and Bouanga for only 45 minutes and then take them off. The two players did not have a perfect preseason. The most important thing was to restore their match rhythm. We had already told the two players that they would play only the first half today."
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