LAFC 3-0 Cruz Azul: Son Heung-min Shines In Champions Cup Quarter-Final First Legnewsline24

Son Heung-min rediscovered scoring touch for Los Angeles FC, striking first in a 3-0 win over Cruz Azul in their Champions Cup quarter-final first leg. David Martinez added two more goals, leaving the Mexican champions needing a major response in the second leg to keep their title defence alive.

The result placed LAFC in full control of the tie, built on sharp attacking play and key saves from Hugo Lloris. Cruz Azul created several good openings but could not beat the former Tottenham goalkeeper, who preserved a clean sheet with two significant stops in each half.

Cruz Azul almost stunned BMO Stadium early on. In the ninth minute, Gabriel Fernandez met a cross with a firm header towards the bottom-left corner. Lloris dived at full stretch and pushed the effort away, preventing the visitors from taking an important away lead.

That escape allowed LAFC to settle. The hosts began to dictate the tempo and built pressure down both flanks. Their improvement was rewarded on the half-hour mark when Son slid in at close range from Mathieu Choiniere’s low delivery, finishing a move that highlighted LAFC’s growing control.

Choiniere soon influenced the contest again, this time with a long, accurate ball from deep. Martinez brought it down smoothly inside the area and swept a composed finish past the goalkeeper. That 39th-minute strike gave LAFC a 2-0 cushion before half-time and increased Cruz Azul’s defensive problems.

Martinez then produced the standout moment on 58 minutes. The 20-year-old collected possession near halfway, dribbled past three Cruz Azul players, and cut inside. Martinez then picked out the far corner with a precise low shot, completing a brace and putting LAFC three goals ahead in the tie.

LAFC, Son Heung-min and key Champions Cup quarter-final statistics

Cruz Azul responded by pushing higher and committed more players forward, trying to cut the deficit before the return game. Jose Paradela came closest to scoring for the visitors with a powerful, low strike, but Lloris reacted again, tipping the ball around the post to maintain LAFC’s three-goal lead.

This match brought an important personal milestone for Son. The forward had been creating regularly, including four assists against Orlando City in LAFC’s previous league match, but goals were scarce. This was only Son’s second goal of 2026, and first since 17 February against Real Espana.

While Son and Martinez finished the chances, Denis Bouanga carried a constant attacking threat for LAFC across the game. Bouanga led all players for shots with four attempts, registered eight touches inside the Cruz Azul area, and attempted 10 dribbles, stretching the visiting defence repeatedly on the left side.

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Expected goals data underlined LAFC’s edge in quality. The hosts generated 1.05 expected goals from eight shots, while Cruz Azul finished with 0.56 expected goals from 15 attempts. Both sides hit the target five times, but LAFC’s superior finishing and Lloris’ saves created a clear scoreline.

Elsewhere in the Champions Cup quarter-finals, Nashville SC and Club America drew 0-0 in their first leg at Geodis Park. Club America now face Cruz Azul in a league fixture this weekend before both Mexican clubs complete their respective last-eight second legs.

LAFC now travel to Mexico with a strong platform and a three-goal advantage against Cruz Azul. Son’s return to scoring, Martinez’s breakthrough display and Lloris’ reliability give LAFC confidence, but Cruz Azul still have 90 minutes at home to challenge the quarter-final balance.