David Martínez Stuns Inter Miami in LAFC's Season-Opening 2-0 Masterclass

Venezuelan forward David Martínez delivered a statement performance on Saturday night, netting the opening goal as Los Angeles FC dismantled defending MLS Cup champions Inter Miami 2-0 in a dominant season opener at LA Coliseum. The result sent an early and unmistakable message to the rest of the league: LAFC is coming for the crown.

A Night to Remember at LA Coliseum

The 2026 MLS regular season could not have started more dramatically. Inter Miami, fresh off their championship campaign, arrived in Los Angeles with Lionel Messi headlining what was expected to be one of the most compelling early-season matchups of the year. Instead, they were thoroughly outplayed in front of a raucous crowd, leaving without a goal and without answers to LAFC's relentless attacking pressure.

The scoreline was decisive and the performance was even more convincing than the final numbers suggested.

Martínez Breaks the Deadlock in the 38th Minute

It was Martínez who drew first blood, converting in the 38th minute to give LAFC a halftime lead they would never surrender. The 20-year-old Venezuelan forward, wearing the number 30 shirt, timed his run into the penalty area with precision before slotting home with composure that belied his age.

The goal was the product of a rapidly developing connection between Martínez and South Korean superstar Son Heung-min, who delivered a perfectly weighted through ball to spring the attack. Inter Miami's defense was stretched and caught out of shape, unable to track the movement of LAFC's forward line as the Black and Gold dismantled them with fluid, interchangeable pressing.

Son Heung-min Commands the Stage in His MLS Debut

If there was a single player who dictated the entire flow of the match, it was Son Heung-min. The former Tottenham Hotspur captain made his MLS debut in emphatic fashion, registering two assists and announcing himself as perhaps the most dangerous creative force the league has seen in years.

Son's vision was on full display throughout the ninety minutes. His combination play with Martínez was telepathic at times, and his ability to find pockets of space against a typically disciplined Inter Miami midfield unlocked the entire contest. The matchup between Son and Messi — two of global football's most recognizable names — was billed as a collision of stars, but it was the Korean who dominated every phase.

Bouanga Puts the Match to Bed

Denis Bouanga added the second and decisive goal to extinguish any hope of an Inter Miami comeback. The LAFC forward, carrying momentum from a strong showing in the CONCACAF Champions Cup preliminary round, finished with authority after Son's second assist of the night. The goal effectively ended the match as a contest and sent the home crowd into a frenzy.

LAFC's two-goal margin barely did justice to their control of the match. They were faster, sharper, and more cohesive from kickoff to the final whistle.

Messi Left Without Influence

Lionel Messi, who started for the defending champions, was rendered a peripheral figure throughout. LAFC's suffocating defensive structure and high-pressing system denied Messi the time and space he typically needs to orchestrate Inter Miami's attacks. The Argentine legend could not carve out meaningful opportunities, and Miami's frontline never truly threatened LAFC's backline.

It was a sobering start to what Inter Miami had hoped would be a title-defense campaign. The reigning champions now face the immediate task of regrouping before their next fixture, with questions already being raised about whether the squad has the depth to sustain a championship run.

What It Means for LAFC's Title Ambitions

For LAFC, Saturday night was a declaration of intent. The combination of Martínez's finishing instincts, Son's world-class creativity, and Bouanga's goal-scoring consistency forms an attacking trio that could challenge any defense in the league over the course of a full season.

Martínez, who joined the club in early 2024 from Venezuelan side Monagas SC and is contracted through 2027, continues to grow into one of MLS's most exciting young talents. Still just 20 years old, his ceiling remains sky-high, and Saturday's performance against the biggest name in the league will only accelerate the conversation around his potential.

The 2026 MLS season is only one match old, but if Saturday night is any indication, the race for the championship runs straight through Los Angeles.