Paulinho’s hat trick leads Toluca to a 4-2 first-leg win over LA Galaxy

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Paulinho of Mexico's Toluca celebrates scoring his side's 2nd goal against the United States' LA Galaxy during a CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinal first leg soccer match in Toluca, Mexico, Wednesday, April 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

Ozziel Herrera of Mexico's Tigres celebrates scoring his side's opening goal against the United States' Seattle Sounders during a CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinal first leg soccer match in Monterrey, Mexico, Wednesday, April 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Jorge Mendoza) — Paulinho of Mexico's Toluca celebrates scoring his side's 2nd goal against the United States' LA Galaxy during a CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinal first leg soccer match in Toluca, Mexico, Wednesday, April 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

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11:21 PM on Wednesday, April 8

By CARLOS RODRIGUEZ

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Portuguese striker Joao Paulo Fernandes Paulinho scored a hat-trick on Thursday and Mexican reigning champion Toluca had a 4-2 victory over MLS side LA Galaxy in the first leg of their CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinal series.

Nicolas Castro open the scoring in the 12th minute and Paulinho added goals in the 43rd and sealed the win in the 73rd and 85th minutes for the Diablos Rojos.

The 33-year-old Paulinho, who played for Sporting Clube before joining Toluca in the summer of 2024, has won three scoring titles in Mexico and recently was called up by Portugal for friendly matches against Mexico and the United States ahead of the World Cup.

Gabriel Pec in the 66th minute and former Borussia Dortmund forward Marco Reus in the 77th scored for the Galaxy which has not won in Mexico in this tournament since 2008.

The teams will play again next Wednesday in California.

Tigres beat Sounders 2-0

Midfielder Ozziel Herrera scored a first-half goal and the UANL Tigres defeated the Seattle Sounders 2-0 in the first leg of their CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinal.

Herrera put the home side ahead in the 51st minute before center back Jackson Ragen scored an own goal in the 76th minute.

The second leg will be played next Wednesday in Seattle. The winner will face either Nashville or Club America in one of the semifinals.

Tigres could have taken the lead toward the end of the first half, but former Atletico Madrid player Angel Correa missed a penalty, sending it over the crossbar.

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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer