The conditions were close to the worst. But the result did not waver. Son Heung-min ultimately decided the outcome at the last moment.
LAFC drew 1-1 with Cruz Azul in the second leg of the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinals held at Estadio Cuauhtémoc in Puebla, Mexico, on the 15th (Korean time). Having won the first leg 3-0, LAFC secured a comfortable spot in the semifinals with a 4-1 aggregate score.
This away match was a test beyond a simple game. The special environment at an altitude of 2,200 meters directly affected players' stamina and match management. Maintaining activity levels under low oxygen conditions was not easy.
Cruz Azul took the initiative in the early stages of the match. Using home advantage, they pressed strongly and attacked aggressively, putting LAFC under pressure, and in midfirst half they even converted a penalty to take the lead. But LAFC, relying on the lead they had already secured in the overall score, did not rush.
LAFC's choice was clear. They dropped their line and focused on defensive stability. Son Heung-min also did not stay fixed up front. He dropped deep into midfield to help form the defensive block and concentrated on maintaining the team's balance.
Attacking build-up was limited. It was not easy to create chances, with no shots on target in the first half. By contrast, Cruz Azul continued to attempt shots and kept up the pressure, and without goalkeeper Hugo Lloris's consecutive saves the situation could have become more difficult.
The flow did not change much in the second half either. The opponent kept their line high and increased attacking numbers, and LAFC responded by looking for counterattack opportunities. Son Heung-min attempted several penetrations into space but they did not lead to consolidation.
Ultimately the outcome was decided at the last moment. In stoppage time of the second half, when the opponent was reduced to ten men after a red card, LAFC capitalized on a single opportunity.
Son Heung-min was the starting point. Receiving the ball at the top, he boldly tried to break through the tired defensive line. Even under the condition of 2,200 meters above sea level, his speed did not drop at all.
After entering the box he unsettled the defense with a linking play with a teammate, and the subsequent shot led to a handball foul by the opponent's defense. A penalty was awarded, and Son Heung-min did not take the kick. He passed the chance to Buanga, who calmly finished to complete the equalizer.
As a result, that single moment decided everything. LAFC finished the match in a draw but maintained their aggregate-score advantage to secure a spot in the semifinals.
This match left significance beyond mere passage. The fact that they gained realmatch experience in a high-altitude environment ahead of the North and Central America World Cup is a clear gain. Compared with actual national team schedules, the fact that this match was played at a higher altitude adds value in terms of adaptability.
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