LAFC overwhelms Real España in CONCACAF Champions Cup opener

SAN PEDRO SULA, Honduras — Denis Bouanga scored three goals as LAFC built a five-goal lead by halftime and cruised to a 6-1 victory over Real España to kick off CONCACAF Champions Cup play on Tuesday night.

Son Heung-min, David Martinez and Timothy Tillman also scored for LAFC, which will host the second leg of the two-leg, total-goals first-round matchup next Tuesday night at BMO Stadium.

Bouanga started the scoring when he converted on a penalty shot in the third minute.

Martinez scored in the 11th minute, Heung-min converted a penalty shot in the 22nd minute, then Bouanga scored again in the 24th to overwhelm the hosts at Estadio Francisco Morazán.

Tillman scored in the 39th minute for a 5-0 lead, and that was the score at halftime.

Jack Jean-Baptiste scored in the 51st minute for Real España, but that was all the 12-time Honduran champions could muster.

Bouanga added his final goal in the 71st minute to close the scoring.