Nguyen Xuan Son scored two crucial goals against Malaysia on 19/8, reaching a significant milestone in the ASEAN Cup. The 29-year-old striker's performance in the semi-final return leg at My Dinh stadium brought his total knockout stage goals to 8, equaling the record held by Thai veteran Teerasil Dangda.

Starting on the bench, Xuan Son entered the game in the 59th minute, replacing Nguyen Hai Long, after Vietnam's offense struggled to find the net. He quickly made an impact, tapping the ball into an empty net just three minutes later to open the scoring. In the 89th minute, he completed his brace, breaking through on the left and firing a shot from a tight angle that nutmegged the Malaysian goalkeeper.

Nguyen Xuan Son celebrates the goal that sealed Vietnam's 2-0 victory over Malaysia in the return leg of the ASEAN Cup 2026 semi-final at My Dinh stadium, Hanoi on the evening of 19/8. Photo: Hieu Luong

This brace allowed Vietnam's naturalized center-forward to surpass Chanathip Songkrasin and draw level with Dangda's 8-goal record. Xuan Son's other knockout goals include three in the 2024 semi-finals (one in the first leg, two in the return leg against Singapore), a brace in the 2024 final first leg against Thailand, and one in this year's semi-final first leg against Malaysia.

Teerasil Dangda's 8 knockout goals consist of six in semi-finals and two in finals. Chanathip Songkrasin follows with 7 goals. Nguyen Tien Linh shares the 5-goal mark with Noh Alam Shah, Worrawoot Srimaka, and Safee Sali.

Xuan Son achieved this rare knockout stage milestone in just two ASEAN Cup tournaments, a notable feat considering he only began playing for Vietnam in late 2024.

Xuan Son's opening goal.

This match also marked Xuan Son's first goal at My Dinh stadium for the Vietnam national team. Since becoming eligible, he had played in two previous matches at My Dinh – a 0-0 draw against Singapore and a 3-1 win over Cambodia in the ASEAN Cup 2026 group stage – but had not scored. The 29-year-old striker also increased his total ASEAN Cup goal tally across all rounds to 12, matching Bambang Pamungkas (Indonesia) and Kiatisuk Senamuang (Thailand). However, he remains far from Dangda's overall record of 25 goals.

Vietnam's 4-0 aggregate victory over Malaysia in the semi-finals secures their spot in the ASEAN Cup 2026 final against Thailand. This upcoming final presents Xuan Son with an opportunity to surpass Dangda and claim the knockout stage goal-scoring record outright.

The first leg of the final will be held in Bangkok on the evening of 22/8, with the return leg at My Dinh scheduled for 26/8.

Xuan Son's goal sealing the victory.

Xuan Binh