It was a record-breaking way to kick off the 2026 season. Los Angeles FC overwhelmed defending champions Inter Miami CF 3–0 on Saturday night in front of 75,673 fans at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. It was the second-largest standalone crowd in MLS history and the biggest ever for opening weekend.

The marquee attraction was obvious. Lionel Messi versus Son Heung-min, two global stars sharing the same MLS stage. But while Messi drew roars — and a few jeers — with every touch, it was LAFC’s collective sharpness that defined the evening.

The breakthrough came in the 38th minute. Son, drifting into a pocket atop the penalty area, slipped a perfectly weighted pass into the stride of 20-year-old David Martínez. The Venezuelan, nicknamed “La Joya,” opened his body and tucked a left-footed finish into the far corner. For a player LAFC believes is ready to explode in 2026, it felt like an excellent way to back up those high expectations.

Miami, playing its first league match since lifting MLS Cup and its first without retired midfield anchor Sergio Busquets, struggled to control transitions. The Herons saw more of the ball after halftime, but clear chances were scarce. Messi flashed moments of brilliance, yet LAFC’s defensive structure — anchored by Hugo Lloris and a disciplined back line — crowded central spaces and denied him the rhythm he typically thrives on.

Head coach Marc Dos Santos, making his MLS debut for LAFC after a midweek 6–1 Concacaf Champions Cup win in Honduras, adjusted as the match tilted. A shift to a 4-3-3 helped protect the middle and stem Miami’s second-half possession spell. “We prepared for the best version of Messi,” he said afterward, emphasizing numbers around the Argentine whenever he drifted centrally.

The insurance goal arrived in the 73rd minute, and it was vintage Denis Bouanga. Timothy Tillman lofted a long ball over the top; goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair raced off his line, only for Bouanga to nod the ball beyond him and calmly finish into an empty net. The Frenchman, who finished second to Messi in last season’s Golden Boot race, later sought out a jersey swap with the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner for his son.

Nathan Ordaz put the result beyond doubt in stoppage time, finishing Bouanga’s cutback to cap a dominant opener. LAFC improved to 9–0–0 in season openers and to 4–2–0 all-time against Miami.

For Inter Miami, the night underscored the growing pains of roster turnover and early-season chemistry. “We have a lot to improve,” head coach Javier Mascherano admitted.

For LAFC, it was a reminder that in a league increasingly shaped by stars, cohesion still wins games. On this night, it won convincingly.