LAFC Rout Cruz Azul in Champions Cup Quarterfinals Opener

David Martínez scores brace as LAFC take commanding 3-0 aggregate lead

Apr. 8, 2026 at 4:39am

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting the action of a soccer match, with players and the ball broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in a vibrant color palette.LAFC's commanding first-leg victory over Cruz Azul showcases the team's attacking prowess and sets them up well to advance in the prestigious Concacaf Champions Cup.Los Angeles Today

LAFC defeated Mexican side Cruz Azul 3-0 in the first leg of their Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinal matchup at BMO Stadium. A brace from David Martínez and a goal from Son Heung-Min gave the Black & Gold a commanding 3-0 aggregate lead heading into the second leg in Mexico on April 14.

Why it matters

This result puts LAFC in a strong position to advance to the Champions Cup semifinals, which would be a major accomplishment for the MLS club. The Champions Cup is the premier club competition in North America, and a deep run would raise LAFC's profile and potentially boost interest in the team among local fans.

The details

LAFC controlled the match from the start, with Son Heung-Min opening the scoring in the 30th minute by finishing off a cross from Mathieu Choinière. David Martínez then scored twice in the second half to give LAFC a 3-0 victory on the night and a 3-0 aggregate lead heading into the second leg.

  • The match was played on Tuesday, April 8, 2026.
  • The second leg will be played on April 14, 2026 at Estadio Cuauhtémoc in Mexico.

The players

David Martínez

LAFC forward who scored a brace in the match.

Son Heung-Min

LAFC midfielder who scored the opening goal.

Mathieu Choinière

LAFC midfielder who provided the assist on Son's goal.

Cruz Azul

The Mexican club that LAFC defeated in the first leg of the quarterfinals.

LA Galaxy

LAFC's potential semifinal opponent if they advance.

Toluca FC

LAFC's potential semifinal opponent if they advance.

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What they’re saying

“We came out with a lot of energy and really took it to Cruz Azul tonight. This is a great result, but we know the job isn't done yet. We'll need to be just as focused and determined in the second leg.”

— David Martínez, LAFC Forward

What’s next

The second leg of the quarterfinal matchup between LAFC and Cruz Azul will be played on April 14, 2026 at Estadio Cuauhtémoc in Mexico. The winner of the tie will advance to the semifinals of the Concacaf Champions Cup.

The takeaway

LAFC's dominant performance in the first leg of the Champions Cup quarterfinals has put them in a strong position to advance to the semifinals of the competition. A deep run in this prestigious tournament would be a major accomplishment for the MLS club and could help grow their fanbase in Los Angeles.