MLS: Bouanga and Son lead Los Angeles FC to final eight of playoffs

Son Heung-min opened the scoring and Denis Bouanga added a brace to send Los Angeles FC to the final eight in the MLS Cup Playoffs on Sunday evening.

Son ➡️ Denis ➡️ Goal

Goal number 100 for our 99. https://t.co/wYtJy7dkWQ pic.twitter.com/0VzyyzBxEL

— LAFC (@LAFC) November 3, 2025

The dynamic attacking duo combined to help LAFC to a 4-1 victory over Austin FC in Game 2 from their first round matchup at Q2 Stadium in Austin. The California club advanced after winning the opening game 2-1 at home, setting up a semifinal elimination clash from the Western Conference at Vancouver Whitecaps later in November.

All eyes were on LAFC to finish the job in the second leg after edging Austin in the first game and the visitors obliged when Bouanga set up Son for an opportunity on the left wing in the 21st minute. The Korean superstar dribbled past a defender before firing a low finish past Austin goalkeeper Brad Stuver.

Never a doubt with Sonny 😤

First playoff goal for Son Heung-Min! https://t.co/kDFGcuwWeU pic.twitter.com/X2Scp3XaEr

— LAFC (@LAFC) November 3, 2025

Gabon national team forward Bouanga then did the rest to give LAFC a lead that was too much to overcome for the hosts. Son returned the favor a few minutes after his strike when he got behind the defense and went around Stuver before crossing for the club’s leading scorer to fire in his 100th career goal for LAFC.

After Austin forward Myrto Uzuni failed to convert a penalty later in the first half, Bouanga dealt another blow in the 44th minute with a devastating dribbling run and finish.

Bouanga buries it for his second of the match 🚀 https://t.co/dDpMmKPtkV pic.twitter.com/6xJ1W1MkjJ

— LAFC (@LAFC) November 3, 2025

The hosts pulled a goal back from a penalty kick before halftime but failed to pose much of a threat in the second half, sending favorites Los Angeles through to an intriguing clash with top Canadian side Vancouver.

The one-off conference semifinal will take place in three weeks after the FIFA window, where Bouanga will lead Gabon in the African regional playoff of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Panthers will clash with Nigeria in the semifinal on November 13 at the Stade Moulay Hassan in Rabat, Morocco.

The winner will face either DR Congo or Cameroon for the right to represent Africa at the World Cup qualifying inter-confederation playoffs, which will take place in Mexico in March 2026. Bouanga, who now has 32 goals and 12 assists in all competitions this season, scored 8 goals in 10 games for Gabon during the group stage of qualifying.