Although someone else scored the goal, the beginning and the end belonged to Son Heung-min.
LAFC beat Toluca 2-1 in the first leg of the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinals at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles on the 30th of last month (Korean time). It was a precious victory secured in a very important first match toward reaching the final.
The protagonist was Son Heung-min. Son Heung-min assisted Timothy Tillman's opening goal in the 6th minute of the second half. He connected the ball near the box, and Tillman calmly finished it. Toluca fought back with Jesús Angulo's equalizer in the 28th minute of the second half, and the match seemed destined to end in a draw.
But LAFC had Son Heung-min. In stoppage time of the second half, there was a left-side free kick. The ball Son Heung-min curled in with his right foot dropped into the penalty area. Tapia rushed between defenders and finished with a header. Toluca's net shook, and BMO Stadium erupted.
Tapia didn't pass the ball either. He said after the match, "Son should be recognized for creating all the scoring opportunities. He put in an unbelievably perfect ball. I just had to get in and not mess it up."
The fact that the first words of the defender who scored the winning goal were praise for Son Heung-min shows how perfect the scene that day was.
There was also an interesting behind-the-scenes story. Tapia laughed, "A day or two before the match, Son and I talked about what celebration he would do if he scored. But he didn't tell me what I should do if I scored." In the end, the celebration plan went awry, but the result was even better. Son took the kick, and Tapia scored. LAFC laughed.
Son Heung-min played the full 90 minutes and recorded two assists that day. Fourteen assists in 14 official matches this season. This is his fourth multi-assist game this season. In the Champions Cup, he has shown top-level influence with 2 goals and 7 assists. Although he didn't score, LAFC's attack effectively starts from the tip of Son Heung-min's boots.
LAFC now holds a favorable position. The second leg will be played on the 7th in Toluca, Mexico. Playing away is a big burden. But thanks to the first-leg victory, a draw is enough to advance to the final.
Son Heung-min proved it again. Even without scoring himself, he can control the game. One free kick, one pass can change the fate of the team. The reason LAFC is eyeing the final is because Son Heung-min is still at its center.
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