LAFC showed that they are firing on all cylinders in their first Concacaf Champions League game against Inter Miami, the latest champion, led by their star Lionel Messi, 6-1, against Real Espana of Honduras in their first Concacaf Champions League game.

The victory demonstrates the Black & Gold squad's obvious superiority, where North Korean Son Heung-min, who contributed a purpose, and Venezuelan David Martinez and German-born National Timothy Tillman, who outscored the Hondurans for whom Jack Jean-Baptiste scored, both showed their talent.

The Los Angeles team's triumph marked the start of their training campaign against Inter Miami next Saturday, where they will face global superstar Lionel Messi and new addition Mexican German Berterame, who are aiming for a second consecutive tournament.

The French-Gabonese participant scored from the penalty spot in the third minute of a terrible by Uruguayan Juan Capeluto on the fresh David Martinez, who converted with a small shot close to the post in the second half of the match. He added a hat technique in the 71st minute.

While David Martinez made it 2-0 with a move from the Asian Son in the 11th minute, he also earned a sentence in the 17th moment for a bad by Carlos Mejia that was reviewed by VAR and declared illegal in the play on Bouanga. True Espana made adjustments to fend off the British assault, but Denis Bounga was the only one to score his next goal of the night in the 24th minute with a exact shot in the center of the area, which gave goalkeeper Luis Lopez Fernandez no chance. Timothy Tillman capitalized on another move from Son to close the gap in the 34th minute with a score of 0-5. The group, then led by Canadian Marc Dos Santos, who was promoted from assistant instructor to head coach following the departure of American Steve Cherundolo, started well in a solid second quarter. True Espana showed signs of life in the second quarter, with Jack Jean-Baptiste scoring the only objective of the match in the 51st minute, which suggested a more honorable scoreline. The West Coast squad doesn't allow it, but, as Sergi Palencia's pass in the 71st minute made it 1-6 in a Concacaf Champions League game that looked significant and likely would see them face Alajuelense of Costa Rica in the next round. In the 2026 MLS season, LAFC will face Messi's Inter Miami in front of several new faces, starting with Canadian coach Marc dos Santos, who will succeed Steve Cherundolo in his family-related resignation. The new strategist has been given the task of creating the new tactical formation. The first game against the reigning champion Inter Miami, Lionel Messi leading their roster, will be difficult, with the signing of Mexican German Berterame as a further help. In addition to Matt Evans ( 19 ) and goalkeeper Cabral Carter ( 21 ) from their youth academy, the Black & Gold squad also features new faces like Amin Boudri, Canadian Ryan Raposo, Brazilian Stephen Eustaquio, New Zealander Tyler Boyd ( 31 ), and Canadian Jacob Shaffelburg ( 31 ). The Los Angeles team, which aims to recapture its former glory and compete in both the MLS and the Concacaf Champions League, will have a difficult start to set up. Lionel Messi leading their roster and being complemented by the Designated Player signing, Mexican German Berterame, kick off their first game against reigning champion Inter Miami.

The Black & Gold squad also features rookies from their youth academy, 19-year-old Matt Evans, and 21-year-old goalkeeper Cabral Carter, as well as Brazilian Stephen Eustaquio, 31-year-old Tyler Boyd, and Canadian Jacob Shaffelburg ( Nashville ).

The Los Angeles team will have a difficult start because it wants to keep its priorities while recapturing its former glory and competing in both the MLS and the Concacaf Champions League.

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