LAFC Rout Cruz Azul in CONCACAF Champions Cup Quarterfinal First Leg

David Martinez's brace and Son Heung-Min's goal and assist power LAFC to big win over Mexican side

Apr. 8, 2026 at 11:19am

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Los Angeles FC routed Cruz Azul 3-0 in the first leg of their CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinal matchup on Tuesday. David Martinez scored twice and Son Heung-Min added a goal and an assist for the home side. The two-game, total-goal series will conclude on April 14 in Puebla, Mexico, with the winner facing either Toluca or the LA Galaxy in the semifinals.

Why it matters

The CONCACAF Champions Cup is the premier club competition in North America, Central America, and the Caribbean, and a victory would be a major accomplishment for either LAFC or Cruz Azul. The lopsided result in the first leg gives LAFC a significant advantage heading into the second leg in Mexico.

The details

Mathieu Choiniere set up Son Heung-Min with a cross from the right side on a breakaway, and Son finished from 10 yards out to open the scoring in the 30th minute. Martinez then beat his defender 1-on-1 and rolled the ball under the goalkeeper in the 39th minute to double LAFC's lead. Martinez capped the scoring in the 58th minute, dribbling the ball from his own half into the Cruz Azul penalty area and firing a left-footed shot into the far corner.

  • The first leg was played on Tuesday, April 8, 2026.
  • The second leg will be played on April 14, 2026 in Puebla, Mexico.

The players

David Martinez

An LAFC forward who scored two goals in the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinal.

Son Heung-Min

An LAFC midfielder who scored a goal and provided an assist in the first leg.

Mathieu Choiniere

An LAFC midfielder who set up Son Heung-Min's opening goal with a cross.

Kevin Mier

The Cruz Azul goalkeeper who was unable to stop LAFC's three goals.

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What they’re saying

“We knew we had to come out strong at home and take advantage of the first leg. The guys executed the game plan perfectly and now we have a good lead heading to Mexico.”

— Bob Bradley, LAFC Head Coach

What’s next

The second leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinal between LAFC and Cruz Azul will be played on April 14, 2026 in Puebla, Mexico. The winner of the two-game, total-goal series will advance to face either Toluca or the LA Galaxy in the semifinals.

The takeaway

LAFC's dominant performance in the first leg has put them in a strong position to advance to the CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinals. The three-goal victory at home gives them a significant advantage heading into the second leg in Mexico, where they will look to finish off Cruz Azul and continue their quest for the continental title.