The 2026 Major League Soccer season kicked off in spectacular fashion as LAFC delivered a commanding 3-0 victory over defending champions Inter Miami at the historic Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on February 22, 2026. The highly anticipated clash drew 75,673 fans, nearly filling the 77,500-seat stadium, and featured a star-studded lineup with Son Heung-min and Denis Bouanga leading the charge for LAFC, while Lionel Messi headlined the Miami squad. For soccer fans, it was a rare treat: Son and Messi facing each other for the first time in about seven years, their previous encounter dating back to the 2018-19 UEFA Champions League group stage.
Expectations were sky-high before kickoff, with many predicting a slight edge for Inter Miami. The visitors, coached by former Barcelona and Argentina legend Javier Mascherano, had dominated the previous season with a staggering 81 goals in the Eastern Conference, powered by Messi’s brilliance. Yet, LAFC—under newly appointed head coach Mark Dos Santos, who was promoted from assistant coach in the offseason—showed that they were more than ready to challenge the league’s elite.
From the opening whistle, LAFC’s tactical discipline was on full display. Deploying a 4-3-3 formation featuring Son, Bouanga, David Martinez, and new playmaker Stephen Eustáquio—recently signed from FC Porto—the home side balanced a compact defensive block with swift, incisive counterattacks. Inter Miami, on the other hand, lined up in a 4-2-3-1, with Messi, Hernán Berterame, and Rodrigo De Paul tasked with unlocking the LAFC defense.
The early stages saw Son Heung-min making his presence felt. In the 6th minute, he broke through Miami’s defensive line, rounded goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair, but couldn’t convert, with Bouanga’s follow-up shot also denied by the keeper. Son continued to threaten, earning and taking a free kick in the 14th minute that was blocked by the wall, then volleying the rebound only to see it deflected out for a corner.
LAFC’s breakthrough came in the 38th minute. Capitalizing on a rare error from Miami’s De Paul, LAFC quickly transitioned into attack. Son Heung-min, showing trademark composure, picked out Martinez with a perfectly weighted pass into the right channel. Martinez, without hesitation, curled a left-footed shot into the far corner, sending the home crowd into raptures. It was Son’s first official assist of the season, and it set the tone for the rest of the match.
Miami pressed for an equalizer as the first half wound down. Messi, always a threat, came closest in first-half stoppage time with a trademark curling effort from the edge of the box, but the ball sailed just over the bar. LAFC took a 1-0 lead into halftime, a testament to their organized defending and quick transitions.
The second half saw Miami increase their intensity, but LAFC’s defense held firm. The back four, anchored by Segura and Tafari, maintained tight lines, while Eustáquio orchestrated play from deep, distributing the ball with precision to Son and Bouanga up front. According to multiple reports, "LAFC showed improved defense and stable ball distribution compared to last season," with Eustáquio’s influence particularly noted.
As the match reached the hour mark, LAFC made a strategic substitution: Choiniere replaced Martinez at the 68th minute, bolstering the midfield as Miami pushed forward. The visitors’ urgency left them vulnerable at the back, and LAFC pounced. In the 73rd minute, Timothy Tillman launched a long pass from right-back. Bouanga, timing his run to perfection, outpaced Miami’s defense and, seeing St. Clair off his line, deftly lobbed a header over the goalkeeper before slotting the ball into an empty net. The scoreboard now read 2-0, and the Memorial Coliseum erupted.
Inter Miami’s frustration mounted. The team sorely missed the retired Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, and new signing Berterame struggled to find his rhythm. De Paul, under relentless pressure from LAFC’s midfield, failed to dictate play, and Miami’s attacks fizzled out. Messi’s influence was limited by LAFC’s tight marking, and the defending champions looked a shadow of their former selves.
Son Heung-min’s work rate remained relentless. He dropped deep to help in defense, pressed Miami’s back line, and launched several promising counters. In the 87th minute, he was substituted out for Nathan Ordaz, visibly frustrated as he exchanged words with coach Dos Santos. The coach, perhaps hoping for a standing ovation for his star forward, watched as Son left the pitch with a look of disappointment—but not before having made an indelible mark on the match.
The final act came in stoppage time. Bouanga, again instrumental, surged down the left and whipped in a low cross. Ordaz, having just entered the game, met the ball at the near post and tucked it home for LAFC’s third goal. The 3-0 scoreline was a fair reflection of LAFC’s dominance.
After the final whistle, the post-match rituals drew almost as much attention as the game itself. Fans had hoped for a jersey exchange between Son and Messi, but it was Bouanga who ended up swapping shirts with the Argentine legend. Son, meanwhile, exchanged jerseys with Miami’s central defender Maximiliano Palcon, a moment caught on camera after Palcon approached Son during the match. Son wrapped up his night by waving to the crowd from the bench, acknowledging the electric atmosphere that had swept through the Coliseum.
For LAFC, the result was more than just three points—it was a statement. The team’s improved defense, balanced midfield, and dynamic attack, led by Son and Bouanga, showcased a side capable of challenging for honors this season. As for Inter Miami, the loss exposed some early-season vulnerabilities, particularly in midfield organization and defensive solidity, despite Messi’s best efforts.
The season is young, and both teams will have ample opportunities to adjust and improve. But for now, LAFC’s emphatic opening day victory has sent a clear message to the rest of the league: the Black and Gold are here to contend, and with Son Heung-min pulling the strings, anything is possible in 2026.