Son Heung-min (34, LAFC) is threatening 'the god of soccer' Lionel Messi (Inter Miami).
LAFC earned a 6-0 rout on the strength of Son Heung-min's one-man show of four first-half assists in the sixth round of Major League Soccer at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles on the 5th (Korean time). After six matches, they have five wins and one draw. LAFC has risen instantly to the top of the league. At the center was clearly Son Heung-min.
On the day, Son Heung-min dominated the opponent from the start. In the 7th minute of the first half, a cross he sent in from the right flank hit a defender's foot and resulted in an own goal. It was effectively a goal created by Son Heung-min.
What followed was a perfect 'Son Heung-min show.' In the 20th minute of the first half, he threaded an accurate pass to the penetrating Denis Bouanga for a goal. Just three minutes later he provided another decisive pass to Bouanga, and in the 28th minute of the first half he assisted Bouanga's goal again to complete a hat trick.
That was not the end. In the 39th minute of the first half, after Son Heung-min completely broke down the right flank and played a pass into the box, Sergi Palencia finished. Son Heung-min recorded an astonishing four assists in the first half alone. Including the own goal, he effectively created five goals by himself.
LAFC completed the 6-0 rout when Tyler Boyd added a goal in the 25th minute of the second half. Age 34 was irrelevant. His explosive speed, sharp passing and control of the game were all perfect.
The interesting point is that Son Heung-min's performance is naturally being compared to Messi. U.S. outlet ESPN emphasized, "Son Heung-min recorded four assists in the first half. That is just one fewer than Messi's record for most first-half assists."
Messi once produced as many as five assists in the second half against Red Bull in 2024. Son Heung-min's current influence is being likened to Messi's two years ago.
Meanwhile, champion Messi's Inter Miami drew 2-2 in the same round. Messi scored at his new stadium, but the team has faltered, finishing four of five matches in draws. Inter Miami sits fourth in the Eastern Conference with three wins, two draws and one loss. Ultimately the power rankings were also overturned. In the MLS power rankings released by ESPN, LAFC was No. 1 while Inter Miami ranked only No. 5.
ESPN said, "Son Heung-min exploded for four assists in the first half. That is just one shy of Lionel Messi's record for most first-half assists. Three of Son's assists were to Bouanga. Bouanga achieved his third MLS career hat trick. LAFC is showing overwhelming performances while keeping a clean sheet this season," giving the nod to LAFC.
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