Son Heungmin Dominates First MLS Duel with Messi... 'One Assist' Leads 3-0 Victory

LAFC Defeat Miami in 2026 Season Opener
Son Heungmin Assists Martinez's Game-Winning Goal in 37th Minute

Son Heungmin signaled a big year ahead by recording an assist in the 2026 season opener against last season's Major League Soccer (MLS) champions.

Los Angeles FC (LAFC) defeated Inter Miami 3-0 in the 2026 season opener held at the LA Memorial Coliseum on the 22nd (Korea time). The match drew great attention as it marked the first MLS showdown between Son Heungmin and Lionel Messi, and 75,673 spectators attended, the second-largest crowd ever for an MLS season opener.

Messi, whose participation had been in doubt due to a hamstring injury, started the match and played the full 90 minutes. Son Heungmin led his team to victory by assisting David Martinez's game-winning goal in the 37th minute of the first half. He clearly outperformed Messi, who failed to register any attacking points.

Son Heungmin is celebrating after assisting David Martinez's first goal in the 2026 season opener against Inter Miami at the LA Memorial Coliseum on the 22nd (Korean time). Photo by AFP Yonhap News

Son Heungmin spearheaded LAFC's attack alongside Denis Bouanga and David Martinez.

In the 5th minute of the first half, Son Heungmin chilled the opposition with a sharp penetrating run. With clever movement, he broke through the defensive line in an instant, received the ball, and created a one-on-one situation with the goalkeeper. However, his dribble carried slightly too far, and he was unable to get a shot off.

In the 13th minute of the first half, he took the free-kick opportunity that Timothy Tillman had earned just outside the penalty box, but his shot unfortunately struck the wall.

LAFC scored the opening goal in the 37th minute of the first half. As Inter Miami tried to build from the back, LAFC's Tillman applied aggressive pressure and won the ball, and Stephen Eustaquio passed it to Son Heungmin. Son then played the ball to Martinez, who was making a run on the right, and Martinez calmly scored the first goal with his left foot.

LAFC displayed a superior performance to Miami in the first half. Although they trailed in possession with only 41%, they dominated in shots, 11 to 3, and in shots on target, 3 to 1. They also earned 4 corner kicks while allowing only 1.

Miami came out aggressively at the start of the second half. LAFC, who had been under heavy pressure, struck back with a counterattack to add a second goal. Tillman sent a long pass from the defensive half, Bouanga got his head to the high-bouncing ball to beat the opposing goalkeeper, and then easily tapped it into the empty net with his right foot.

In the 42nd minute of the second half, Son Heungmin broke through to the byline, went past the goalkeeper, and created a clear scoring chance for Bouanga in the center. However, Bouanga's shot struck the massed defenders in front of the goal and did not result in a score. Son was substituted for Nathan Ordaz in the 44th minute of the second half. In second-half stoppage time, Ordaz converted a pass from Bouanga to score LAFC's third goal and seal the comprehensive victory.