LAFC Advances to Champions Cup Round of 16 with Third Consecutive Win

Casey Halston

Published: February 25, 2026 1:56 AM ET

LAFC Advances to Champions Cup Round of 16 with Third Consecutive Win

Los Angeles FC (LAFC) achieved a significant milestone by advancing to the Round of 16 in the 2026 CONCACAF Champions Cup. This victory marks their third consecutive win of the season.

Match Details

On March 25, 2023, LAFC played against Real Espana of Honduras at the BMO Stadium in Los Angeles. The match ended with LAFC securing a narrow 1-0 victory, solidifying their leading position in the tournament. Their previous match had seen them triumph 6-1 over the same opponent.

Team Lineup and Formation

LAFC’s lineup featured notable players, including Son Heung-min. The forward line consisted of Son, Denis Bouanga, and winger Tyler Boyd. The midfield was anchored by attacking midfielder Amin Boudry, alongside Stephen Eustaquio and Mathieu Choinière. The defense was led by Ryan Hollingshead, Nkosi Tafari, Kenny Nielsen, and Ryan Raposo, with Thomas Hasal in goal.

Formation: Although LAFC announced a 3-4-3 setup, they played defensively in a 4-2-3-1 formation.

Real Espana’s Formation

Real Espana deployed a strong formation as well, placing David Sayago at the forefront, supported by Anthony Garcia, Joao Benavides, and Darickson Buelto in the second line. The midfield included Jack Jean-Baptiste and Anfroni Tatum, while their defense was composed of Daniel Afrasio, Devron Garcia, Franklin Flores, and Carlos Mejia, with Luis Lopez as goalkeeper.

Match Highlights

The game started slowly, with both teams struggling to generate significant chances. Early in the match, Son Heung-min made a sharp run behind the defense but was flagged offside. The first real scoring opportunity came in the 27th minute, with Boyd shooting wide after a promising setup.

Key Moments:
- 33rd Minute: Buelto’s long-range attempt was saved by Hasal.
- 40th Minute: Raposo’s shot collected after a failed clearance was stopped by Lopez.
- 45th Minute: Bouanga attempted a dribble that earned a corner kick instead of a penalty.

Second Half Dynamics

In a surprising turn, LAFC scored the first goal of the match shortly after halftime. A free-kick setup led to a shot by Timothy Tillman, which, despite being saved, resulted in Tafari tapping in for the goal. This crucial moment turned the match in LAFC’s favor.

As the match progressed, Real Espana began substituting their key players. LAFC followed suit, with strategic changes to maintain their lead.

Ending Highlights

In the dying moments of the match, LAFC’s Nielsen unintentionally conceded a penalty. However, Hasal made an impressive save against Benavides’ penalty kick, ensuring a clean sheet for LAFC.

With this victory, LAFC continues to demonstrate their capability as strong contenders in the Champions Cup. Their next challenge will be to maintain this momentum as they progress further into the tournament.