LAFC Book Spot In FIFA Club World Cup With 3-2 Win Over Club America
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Denis Bouanga scored an extra-time winner to secure LAFC's 3-2 win over Club America, earning them a spot in the Club World Cup.
Denis Bouanga scored a dramatic extra-time winner, propelling Los Angeles FC into the Club World Cup with a 3-2 (a.e.t.) victory over Mexico's Club América on Saturday.
Club América, from Mexico City, seemed poised to secure their spot in the tournament and the guaranteed $9.5 million participation reward after a 64th-minute penalty by former LAFC player Brian Rodríguez.
However, LAFC's Brazilian player Igor Jesus headed in an equaliser in the 89th minute, forcing the game into extra time. Five minutes before the end of the second extra-time period, Bouanga delivered the decisive goal.
The high-stakes match was played in front of an enthusiastic crowd divided between the two teams, with palpable tension from the start. Despite only joining MLS seven years ago, LAFC triumphed, earning a place in the inaugural 32-team FIFA tournament.
LAFC will compete in Group D of the Club World Cup, facing Chelsea, Brazil's Flamengo, and Espérance de Tunis of Tunisia. The tournament kicks off on June 14.
This one-off 'play-in' match occurred following FIFA's decision to ban Mexican club León from the tournament due to ownership conflicts with Grupo Pachuca, which also controls Liga MX side Pachuca, another tournament participant.
LAFC was given the opportunity based on their second-place finish to León in the 2023 CONCACAF Champions League. Club América, founded 108 years ago, was included due to being the 'top-ranked team" in confederation rankings.
Though LAFC had the nominal home advantage at their BMO Stadium, California hosts many Club América fans, making the venue effectively neutral. The electric atmosphere saw few first-half chances, with the Mexican team enjoying better possession but rarely troubling LAFC's former France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.
The introduction of former France and Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud in the 74th minute proved decisive. Giroud's presence troubled América's defence, and his improvised shot and subsequent header forced saves from Club América keeper Luis Malagón.
In the final minute of regular time, LAFC found a lifeline as Bouanga's corner was met with a powerful header from Jesus. LAFC nearly won in regulation, but Malagón made a brilliant save to deny Timothy Tillman's cross-shot.
With penalties looming in extra time, Frankie Amaya fed a ball to Giroud, who laid it off to the on-rushing Bouanga. His fierce shot deflected past the helpless Malagón. Bouanga, the France-born Gabon international, has scored 80 goals for LAFC in all competitions since joining from Saint-Étienne in 2022, but none more valuable than this one.
This win ensures that the host nation will have three Major League Soccer teams in the tournament, with the Seattle Sounders and Inter Miami already participating. The tournament concludes on July 13 with a final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where the winner will take home over $100 million.
First Published:
June 01, 2025, 12:22 IST
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