Los Angeles FC (LAFC) of Major League Soccer (MLS) secured another penalty shootout victory, keeping their path to the 2026 Leagues Cup quarterfinals open.

LAFC played to a 1-1 draw through 90 minutes of regulation against Liga MX side Queretaro in their final Group Stage (Phase One) Match 3 at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, California, today (August 13, Korea time), before winning the subsequent penalty shootout 5-3.

Having previously drawn 1-1 with Guadalajara before winning 5-4 on penalties in their opener, and defeating Toluca 1-0 in their second match, LAFC accumulated 7 points.

In the Leagues Cup, matches ending in a draw during the group stage proceed directly to a penalty shootout to determine the winner.

Teams earn 3 points for a win in regulation, 2 points for a penalty shootout win, and 1 point for a penalty shootout loss.

Because the outcome of a penalty shootout is treated as a draw, LAFC's official record stands at 1 win and 2 draws.

The Leagues Cup is a club tournament featuring 18 teams from MLS and 18 teams from Mexico's Liga MX.

Teams face three opponents from the opposing league in the group stage, with only the top four teams from each league advancing to the quarterfinal knockout stage to compete for the championship.

LAFC currently ranks third among MLS teams.

However, Austin FC and the Chicago Fire, who have yet to play their third matches, both hold 6 points with two wins each, meaning LAFC's qualification for the quarterfinals will be decided by the results of their matches on August 14.

Starting as a central striker in a 4-3-3 formation, Son Heung-min played the full match, leading the team's attack alongside Denis Bouanga and Jacob Shaffelburg.

Though he did not record an attacking point during the 90 minutes, Son stepped up as the second kicker in the penalty shootout and calmly converted his shot to help secure the team's victory.

After finishing his schedule for the 2026 North and Central America World Cup, Son gained momentum in MLS by scoring in four consecutive games, including his first goal of the season.

However, he has failed to find the back of the net in all three Leagues Cup matches up to this day.

The opening goal of the match went to Queretaro, whose elimination was already confirmed after two consecutive losses.

In the 12th minute of the first half, goalkeeper Hugo Lloris parried a right-footed mid-range shot by Byron Duarte from the right side of the midfield, but the ball dropped right in front of the goal, and Ali Avila leaped to head it in.

Queretaro launched several more threatening shots afterward, but Lloris made crucial saves to prevent additional goals.

On the other hand, LAFC struggled to break through Queretaro's solid defensive wall.

In the 42nd minute, Son received a pass from Bouanga, won a physical duel near the penalty arc, and fed the ball into the right side of the box. Shaffelburg attempted a left-footed curling shot, but it lacked power and was comfortably gathered by the goalkeeper, marking LAFC's only shot on target in the first half.

To start the second half, LAFC substituted Shaffelburg and midfielder Jude Terry with David Martinez and Timothy Tillman.

The equalizer came in the 12th minute of the second half.

Ryan Hollingshead delivered a cross from the right side of the penalty area that the opposing goalkeeper failed to clear cleanly, allowing the ball to drift backward. Bouanga capitalized on the loose ball on the left side of the box to finish with his left foot.

With the match leveled, LAFC's offensive pressure intensified.

Just a minute later, Son received a penetrating pass from Tillman and attempted his first shot of the match with his right foot from the center of the penalty box, which sailed slightly wide of the goalpost.

In the 14th minute of the second half, a shot by Bouanga following a pass from Son was blocked by the rushing goalkeeper, who narrowed the angle.

Son surged toward the right side of the goal area during a counterattack in the 27th minute of the second half and fired a right-footed shot, but it was stopped by the goalkeeper.

His left-footed shot from the left side of the penalty area in the 32nd minute missed wide of the target.

As neither team managed to score a tie-breaking goal, the match proceeded to a penalty shootout.

Taking the first kicks, LAFC saw all five of their designated takers, including Son, successfully convert their penalties.

Meanwhile, Queretaro's fourth kicker, Daniel Parra, hit his shot against the crossbar, sealing their defeat.

(Photo: William Navarro-Imagn Images, Yonhap News)