Xuan Son scores historic goal, Vietnam defeats Laos 2-0.

In the 67th minute, Xuan Son stepped up to the penalty spot and decisively struck the ball into the left corner, opening the scoring for the Vietnamese national team against Laos. Despite playing only 45 minutes, the striker from Nam Dinh still managed to make history: becoming the first naturalized player to score for the Vietnamese national team in the Asian Cup qualifiers. The match ended with a 2-0 victory, helping coach Kim Sang-sik's team maintain their pursuit of the top spot in Group F.

The crucial moment

The turning point came when Tuan Hai dribbled skillfully, forcing a Laotian defender to handle the ball inside the penalty area. The referee pointed to the penalty spot, and Xuan Son didn't miss. His shot into the left corner of the goal gave the home team's goalkeeper no chance to save, breaking the deadlock for the Vietnamese national team.

A historic milestone and extraordinary performance.

The goal against Laos helped Xuan Son make history in the Asian Cup qualifiers as the first naturalized player of the Vietnamese national team to score in this tournament. Prior to that, at the end of 2024, he was also the first naturalized player to score in the AFF Cup.

In official matches for the Vietnamese national team alone, Xuan Son has scored 8 goals in 6 games — a performance that reflects his ability to seize opportunities and the pressure he puts on opposing defenses. In this match, despite having just returned from a break and not yet being in his best form, he was still sharp enough to decide the outcome.

Personnel adjustments and differences

Coach Kim Sang-sik brought Xuan Son on in the second half, replacing Tien Linh — the 30-year-old striker's first appearance from the bench for the national team since becoming a naturalized citizen. His appearance immediately created more direct attacking options, helping Vietnam put pressure on Laos and force them into making mistakes in the penalty area. Xuan Son's opening goal paved the way for a 2-0 victory.

The numbers speak for themselves.

• Match duration: 45 minutes (after coming on for the second half).
• Goal: 1 (penalty, 67th minute).
• Performance for the Vietnam national team: 8 goals in 6 official matches.
• Milestone: The first naturalized player to score for the Vietnamese national team in the Asian Cup qualifiers; he had previously achieved a similar milestone in the AFF Cup.
• This was his first appearance as a substitute for the national team since becoming a naturalized citizen.
• Honorable Mention: Man of the Match.

Impact on Group F and the final stage

The 2-0 victory against Laos maintained the 3-point gap between the Vietnamese national team and Malaysia. The final match takes place on March 31, 2026, with Vietnam facing Malaysia at home – a crucial game for qualification and the race for first place in Group F. Xuan Son's goal-scoring form, coupled with coach Kim Sang-sik's proactive personnel adjustments, promises to be key to achieving that goal.

Professional perspective

In a match where a solution was needed in the final moments, choosing to entrust the finishing opportunity to a striker with a good goal-scoring instinct was a prudent decision. Xuan Son not only successfully converted the penalty but also demonstrated his role as a "catalyst" that increased Vietnam's pressure. The play leading to the penalty came from Tuan Hai's individual effort — a testament to Vietnam's patience and ability to make a difference in the final third of the pitch in the second half.

The victory wasn't just about the three points; it also confirmed the effectiveness of the rotation strategy in the attacking line, as Vietnam needed more speed and decisiveness in the final stages of the match. For a striker who had just returned after nearly a year, such a contribution is a positive sign for the crucial stage ahead.