Forward Nguyen Xuan Son made headlines with a heartfelt celebration at My Dinh Stadium after scoring a crucial goal against Malaysia, leading Vietnam to a 2-0 victory in the second leg of the ASEAN Cup 2026 semifinals. This win secured Vietnam's spot in the finals, marking a significant achievement for the national team.

During the match on August 19, Xuan Son entered the game as a substitute for Nguyen Hai Long and quickly made an impact by scoring just three minutes later. He opened the scoring with a close-range rebound, followed by another goal in the 89th minute, showcasing his skill by dribbling past defenders and shooting through the legs of goalkeeper Azri Ghani.

What stood out was Xuan Son's unique celebration after scoring. He performed a gesture that resembled removing a crown and placing it on the ground before kneeling and pointing upwards in prayer. "This celebration is connected to my faith. I believe that God has given me this talent to contribute to Vietnamese football," Xuan Son explained after the match. He expressed gratitude to his family, club, and the incredible support from fans and teammates.

This goal was particularly special for Xuan Son as it was his first scored at My Dinh Stadium, despite his history of scoring important goals for the national team. He has now equaled the record of eight goals in knockout matches of the ASEAN Cup, matching the veteran Thai striker Teerasil Dangda.

With a total aggregate score of 4-0 against Malaysia, Vietnam advanced to the finals for the second consecutive time, where they will face Thailand, who triumphed over Singapore 4-3 in their semifinal. Xuan Son emphasized the team's determination to prepare thoroughly for this significant match, stating, "The upcoming game will not be easy, but the entire team will strive to successfully defend our championship title." Currently, Vietnam leads the tournament with the most goals scored (17) and the least conceded (1), giving them confidence as they aim to make history by winning the ASEAN Cup for the second time in a row.