LAFC thrash Cruz Azul 3-0 in Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinal first leg

LAFC delivers a dominant performance at home

Los Angeles FC secured a commanding 3-0 victory over Cruz Azul in the first leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinals in Los Angeles.

LAFC entered the match after eliminating LD Alajuelense 3-2 on aggregate, while Cruz Azul advanced past CF Monterrey with a 4-3 aggregate win.

Total control from kickoff

From the opening whistle, Los Angeles FC controlled the tempo with speed and sharp counterattacks. Cruz Azul struggled to respond and was consistently outplayed.

Both teams fielded strong lineups, underlining the importance of the match in the ongoing MLS vs Liga MX rivalry.

Son opens the scoring

The breakthrough came in the 30th minute when Heung-Min Son finished a well-worked play involving Denis Bouanga, giving LAFC a deserved lead.

David Martínez shines with a brace

The standout performer was David Martínez. In the 39th minute, he capitalized on a pass from Mathieu Choinière, beating Erik Lira and scoring LAFC’s second goal.

He added another in the 58th minute to complete his brace and seal a dominant 3-0 win.

Cruz Azul fails to respond

Coached by Nicolás Larcamón, Cruz Azul made tactical changes but failed to generate meaningful chances or shift momentum.

Their lack of response leaves serious concerns heading into the second leg.

A difficult road ahead

With this result, Cruz Azul faces an uphill battle in the return leg on April 14 in Mexico City.

While the altitude and home advantage could play a role, overcoming a three-goal deficit will be a major challenge.

Meanwhile, Los Angeles FC reinforces its status as one of the strongest teams in MLS and the region, taking a major step toward the semifinals of the Concacaf Champions Cup.