LOS ANGELES — In a thrilling showdown on Wednesday night, Nkosi Tafari scored with a header from a Son Heung-Min free kick during stoppage time in the second half, leading LAFC to a 2-1 victory over Toluca in the first leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup semifinal.
The overall winner will be determined on May 6 in Toluca.
Timothy Tillman opened the scoring for LAFC in the 51st minute, netting his second goal in 17 matches across all competitions this season. After chesting down a pass from Son Heung-Min, Tillman struck a shot past the outstretched Luis García.
Three minutes later, LAFC appeared to extend their lead to 2-0 when Jacob Shaffelburg redirected Sergi Palencia’s cross at the far post, but the goal was disallowed for offsides after a lengthy VAR review.
Toluca equalized in the 73rd minute with a stunning shot from Jesús Ricardo Angulo, marking his 12th goal of the season.
In the first half, LAFC goalkeeper Hugo Lloris made remarkable saves, thwarting a close-range header from Nicolás Castro and then diving to block a rebound attempt from Jesús Gallardo.
LAFC played without forward Denis Bouanga, who has five goals in the tournament, as well as defender Eddie Segura, both sidelined due to yellow card accumulation.