Real Espana 1-6 Los Angeles FC: Bouanga hits hat-trick in Champions Cup opener

Los Angeles FC started their CONCACAF Champions Cup campaign in style as Denis Bouanga scored a hat-trick in their 6-1 rout of Real Espana at Estadio Francisco Morazan.

Son Heung-min helped himself to one goal and three assists in a rampant first half, with David Martinez and Timothy Tillman also on target for Marc Dos Santos’ side.

LAFC took a third-minute lead when Martinez was fouled by Juan Capeluto inside the box, with Bouanga stepping up to coolly dispatch the resulting penalty past Luis Lopez.

Martinez was involved again as the visitors doubled their lead in the 11th minute when the Venezuelan curled home after being slipped in by Son’s clever reverse pass.

The result was put beyond doubt when Son scored LAFC’s second spot kick after Carlos Mejia’s foul, before Bouanga brought up his brace with a 24th-minute strike.

LAFC’s five-star showing in the first half was completed six minutes before the break by Tillman, who rounded off a fine move with a delicate backheel from Son’s inviting centre.

Real Espana got themselves on the scoresheet through Jack Jean-Baptiste’s header from Jhow Benavidez’s free-kick, but there was still time for Bouanga to complete his treble.

Sergi Palencia’s ball to the back post was brilliantly dummied by Nathan Ordaz, allowing Bouanga to tuck home ahead of their second leg clash at BMO Stadium on February 24.

It’s good to be back #LAFC | @TheChampions pic.twitter.com/zZtXZil1b0

— LAFC (@LAFC) February 18, 2026

Nashville SC also made a winning start to their campaign at Hamilton Stadium as they beat Atletico Ottawa 2-0 thanks to Woobens Pacius and Sam Surridge’s finishes.

Despite failing to open the scoring after a dominant first half, Nashville eventually took the lead in the 66th minute when Pacius sent a bouncing shot over Garissone Innocent.

And the win was sealed in the fifth minute of second-half stoppage time by Surridge, who finished from close range after being teed up by Cristian Espinoza’s square ball.

Data Debrief: LAFC’s deadly duo get up and running

After registering 49 goal contributions between them during the 2025 MLS season, Son and Bouanga got themselves up and running this year with a dominant attacking display.

Indeed, Bouanga finished the game with team-high totals for shots (six) and touches in the opposition box (11) while Son created five chances for his team-mates, more than any other player managed on the pitch.

And LAFC were more than worthy of their win here, having registered an expected goals (xG) total of 3.9 from their 14 shots, eight of which were on target, compared to Real Espana’s tally of 0.78 from their 11 attempts at Hugo Lloris’ net.