Bouanga Brace Powers LAFC Past Real Salt Lake in 4–1 Victory

By Adam Luna

Los Angeles Football Club produced a commanding display at BMO Stadium, overturning an early deficit to secure a 4–1 victory over Real Salt Lake. A brace from Denis Bouanga, alongside goals from Heung-Min Son and relentless creativity from Andrew Moran, propelled LAFC to three points in a match filled with attacking intent and physical duels.

First Half: Early Shock, Late Response

Real Salt Lake stunned the home crowd in the 14th minute when Brayan Vera unleashed a thunderous left-footed strike from distance. Assisted by Noel Caliskan and Alexandros Katranis, Vera’s effort from the right half-space swerved into the top corner beyond Hugo Lloris, giving the visitors a 1–0 lead with a strike of pure quality.

Despite falling behind, LAFC controlled possession and created the more dangerous chances. Nkosi Tafari rattled the crossbar in the 25th minute, while Rafael Cabral was kept busy denying Denis Bouanga and Heung-Min Son on multiple occasions.

The breakthrough came just before halftime. In the 45th minute, Son combined brilliantly with Bouanga, slipping him through on the left. Bouanga cut inside and buried his right-footed effort into the far corner to equalize. Moments later, deep into stoppage time, Son himself struck from range. Collecting a layoff from David Martínez, the Korean forward curled a left-footed shot into the bottom corner with precision. In the space of four minutes, LAFC had flipped the scoreline, heading into the interval 2–1 ahead.

Second Half: LAFC in Control

Real Salt Lake pushed hard after the restart, launching wave after wave of attacks. Zavier Gozo, Diego Luna, Diogo Gonçalves, and William Agada all tested the LAFC defense during a frantic spell between the 61st and 68th minutes. Lloris stood tall, making crucial saves, while defenders Ryan Porteous and Sergi Palencia threw themselves in front of shots to preserve the lead.

Those missed chances proved costly. In the 73rd minute, LAFC punished Salt Lake’s wastefulness with a clinical counterattack. Moran surged forward, exchanged passes with Son, and slipped the ball into Bouanga’s path. The Gabonese forward made no mistake, finishing coolly for his second of the match and LAFC’s third.

Real Salt Lake tried to respond with substitutions, but LAFC had taken complete control. The introduction of Jeremy Ebobisse added fresh energy to the attack. In the 87th minute, Ebobisse set up Bouanga once more, whose quick footwork inside the box culminated in a right-footed strike into the bottom corner to make it 4–1, completing his brace in emphatic fashion.

Final Moments

Tempers flared late with several fouls exchanged, but LAFC managed the closing stages well. RSL substitute Jesús Barea headed wide in the 90th minute in what proved to be the visitors’ final opportunity. The home side’s defensive structure held firm as the clock wound down.

Key Performers

• Denis Bouanga (LAFC): Two goals, relentless pace, and sharp finishing—he was the difference-maker throughout.

• Heung-Min Son (LAFC): A goal and two assists, orchestrating much of LAFC’s attacking play with his vision and movement.

• Hugo Lloris (LAFC): Several key saves when RSL threatened to equalize early in the second half.

Conclusion

The 4–1 result reflected LAFC’s clinical edge and resilience after conceding first. Real Salt Lake played with ambition and created chances, but their lack of finishing in crucial moments was ruthlessly punished. For LAFC, the partnership of Son, Moran, and Bouanga looks increasingly dangerous, as they continue to establish themselves as one of Major League Soccer’s most dynamic attacking units.