Son Heung-min Hits Hat-trick as LAFC Defeat Real Salt Lake 4-1

Son Heung-min bagged his first Major League Soccer hat-trick on Wednesday, firing Los Angeles FC to a 4-1 win over Real Salt Lake in Utah and extending his blistering start in the United States. The South Korean star, who joined LAFC in August for a reported MLS-record $26 million, scored twice in the opening half before completing his treble after the break.

A former Premier League Golden Boot winner with Tottenham Hotspur, Son has wasted no time making his mark in America, netting five goals in just six MLS appearances. His performance overshadowed a missed early chance by Real’s Diego Luna, with LAFC capitalizing immediately to take the lead.

Son struck his opener in the third minute after a midfield interception by Timothy Tillman, before doubling the advantage with a thunderous long-range effort 13 minutes later. Goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, Son’s former Spurs teammate, pulled off a string of saves to keep LAFC two goals clear at halftime.

Real Salt Lake’s Rwan Cruz squandered a penalty in the second half, and although Xavier Gozo pulled one back in the 76th minute, Son restored the cushion with his third goal soon after. Denis Bouanga later added a fourth to seal the victory and, in the process, became LAFC’s all-time top scorer with his 94th strike across all competitions.