Paulinho hit a hat-trick as Toluca defeated LA Galaxy 4-2 in a Champions Cup quarter-final first leg, while Seattle Sounders lost 2-0 to Tigres UANL. The results leave both Major League Soccer teams needing strong comebacks in their respective return fixtures.

The Portugal forward, who is 33, recently appeared during the March international break and strengthened hopes of a World Cup call from Roberto Martinez with this display. Paulinho struck three times, including a key second-half goal after LA Galaxy had threatened a recovery.

Toluca took control early when Nicolas Castro finished a move that broke LA Galaxy’s defensive shape. Paulinho then completed a swift counter-attack before half-time, giving Toluca a 2-0 lead and exposing spaces behind Galaxy’s advanced full-backs. The visitors looked vulnerable whenever Toluca attacked with pace.

LA Galaxy responded after the interval when Gabriel Pec scored a sixth Champions Cup goal this season, cutting the margin to 2-1. Momentum briefly shifted, yet Paulinho quickly restored the two-goal difference, punishing loose defending. That strike settled Toluca again and forced LA Galaxy to chase the game.

Marco Reus created Pec’s goal and later scored in the 77th minute to make it 3-2, giving Galaxy renewed belief. However, Paulinho completed the hat-trick late on, sealing a 4-2 advantage and rounding off a performance that highlighted finishing, movement and sharp decision-making in the final third.

Paulinho’s influence showed clearly in the data, as Toluca generated 2.34 expected goals overall. Paulinho accounted for more than half that figure and led key attacking categories, underlining how central the forward was to Toluca’s attacking plan and execution in this first leg.

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The win extends Toluca’s strong record at home, with the Liga MX side now 17 matches unbeaten in all competitions on their own ground. That sequence, combined with a two-goal lead, places Toluca in a favourable position before the quarter-final second leg.

Paulinho hat-trick Champions Cup context with Seattle Sounders vs Tigres

In another Champions Cup quarter-final first leg, Seattle Sounders fell 2-0 away to Tigres UANL. Ozziel Herrera opened the scoring for the hosts, and Seattle’s problems grew when Jackson Ragen diverted the ball into the net for an own goal later in the match.

Both MLS clubs now face uphill tasks in their second legs. Toluca’s 4-2 victory, driven by Paulinho’s hat-trick, gives the Mexican side control against LA Galaxy, while Tigres’ 2-0 success leaves Seattle Sounders needing a clean sheet and at least two goals to stay alive.