Denis Bouanga moves level with Messi on MLS scoring chart in LAFC’s latest win

Denis Bouanga is simply on fire right now in MLS. The Gabon national team star scored yet another goal as Los Angeles FC (LAFC) defeated Atlanta United 1-0 on Sunday evening.

Denis Bouanga off the volley in the 86th minute to take the lead! 💥

He is now tied with Messi for the @Audi Golden Boot lead with 24 goals. pic.twitter.com/ilwVtcMuSt

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 6, 2025

The prolific scorer pounced late when a cross into the Atlanta United penalty area deflected right to Bounga, who volleyed past Atlanta goalkeeper Jayden Hibber for an 86th minute match winner. The victory boosts LAFC’s push for top spot in the Western Conference, where they sit four points back of conference leaders San Diego FC with two games in hand.

Denis Bouanga and Son continue to dominate MLS with LAFC

Led by dynamic duo Bouanga and Son Heung-Min, the Black and Gold dominated at home in BMO Stadium but it seemed like Atlanta might somehow hold on for a point. However, the visitors eventually succumbed to the pressure and it was Bouanga who provided the breakthrough before leaving for national team duty with Gabon.

Bouanga now has 11 goals in his last 9 matches since Son joined the club. Before the Korean superstar’s arrival from Tottenham, Bouanga performed well but his team lacked another big threat to draw the attention of opposition defenders away from the Gabonese forward as seen in their poor performance at the FIFA Club World Cup over the summer.

Bouanga is also now level with the legendary Lionel Messi at the top of Major League Soccer’s scoring list with 24 goals in 30 league appearances. He now has 99 goals in 148 matches with LAFC.

“For me, I believe all the time. The first minute and the 90th minute,” Bouanga said in a post-match interview in response to a question about how he found the late breakthrough.

“I am happy to tie Messi, finally. Because this game was very difficult,” he said about moving level with Messi at the top of the scoring charts. Bouanga also briefly addressed Gabon’s upcoming crucial 2026 World Cup qualifying matches: “We have a chance. We have a good team for the World Cup. Maybe I (will) get to go there (to the World Cup).”

Now Bouanga is feasting on opposing defenses. He and Son have combined for 19 goals and 9 assists during the nine-match stretch following Son’s arrival with the duo scoring their club’s last 18 team goals. LAFC have won their last five matches and have only lost once since Son joined.

Bouanga and Messi only have one match left in the MLS regular season to boost their goal totals, as both players will miss matches due to international duty. Gabon, who trail Ivory Coast by one point in Group F from 2026 World Cup qualifying in the African region, face Gambia in Nairobi, Kenya on October 10 before hosting Burundi four days later. They are in an excellent position to reach the second round playoff for the top four group runners-up if they fail to overtake Ivory Coast.

Bouanga will return to boost his club when they travel to Colorado Rapids on October 18. Until then, Los Angeles FC will have to fend without Bouanga for two matches, against Toronto FC at home on Thursday and at Austin FC next Sunday.