Latest news with #ClubAmerica
Kuwait Times
16 hours ago
- Sport
- Kuwait Times
LAFC qualify for Club World Cup with win over Club America
LOS ANGELES: Denis Bouanga grabbed a dramatic extra-time winner to send Los Angeles FC into the Club World Cup with a 2-1 (aet) win over Mexico's Club America on Saturday. The team from Mexico City looked to have booked their place - and the guaranteed $9.5 million participation reward - after a penalty from former LAFC player Brian Rodriguez in the 64th minute. But Brazilian Igor Jesus's 89th minute header for LAFC took the game into extra-time and five minutes from the end of the second period Bouanga drilled home the dramatic winner. It was a game with high stakes played in front of a boisterous crowd divided between the two teams and the tension was palpable from the outset. But it was the Californian club, who only began life in MLS seven years ago, who triumphed and earned a spot in the first edition of the expanded 32-team FIFA tournament. LAFC will line up in Group D of the Club World Cup, where they will face Premier League side Chelsea, Brazil's Flamengo and Esperance Tunis of Tunisia in the tournament which gets under way on June 14. The one-off 'play-in' match came about following FIFA's decision to ban Mexican club Leon from the tournament. Leon were barred because the club is owned by Grupo Pachuca, which also controls Liga MX side Pachuca, who are also taking part in the tournament. LAFC were given the chance on the basis of finishing as runners-up to Leon in the 2023 CONCACAF Champions League. America, founded 108 years ago, were handed the opportunity due to their status as the "top-ranked team" in confederation rankings. While LAFC had the nominal home field advantage, at their BMO Stadium, California is home to many Club America fans and the result was a de facto neutral venue. The atmosphere was electric but chances were rare in the opening half with the Mexican team enjoying the better possession but causing few problems for LA's former France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris. But when Mark Delgado's challenge on Erick Sanchez in the box was ruled a foul, after a VAR review, substitute Rodriguez kept his cool and sent Lloris the wrong way to put America ahead. Rodriguez had a chance to secure the outcome 10 minutes later but he floated his shot wide. The introduction of former France and Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud in the 74th minute proved to be decisive, however, with the 38-year-old's presence causing plenty of problems for the America back line. Thundering header Giroud's improvised shot with the outside of his foot forced Luis Malagon into a save and moments later the Club America keeper kept out a header from the Frenchman. With just a minute of normal time remaining, LAFC grabbed a lifeline when a Bouanga corner was met with a thundering header from Jesus. LAFC almost won the game in regulation but Malagon did brilliantly to keep out a cross/shot from Timothy Tillman that was heading towards the top corner. Then it was extra-time and with penalties looming, Frankie Amaya fed a ball in to Giroud on the edge of the box who laid off to the on-rushing Bouanga whose fierce shot took a wicked deflection and flashed past the helpless Malagon. The France-born Gabon international has scored 80 goals for LA, in all competitions, since joining the club from Saint Etienne in 2022 but none more valuable than this one. The win ensures that the tournament host nation will have three competing teams from Major League Soccer with the Seattle Sounders and Inter Miami already in the competition. The tournament concludes with a final in MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 13 with the winner taking home over $100 million. – AFP
Globe and Mail
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Globe and Mail
Cruz Azul beats the Vancouver Whitecaps 5-0 for the CONCACAF Champions Cup title
Ángel Sepúlveda scored twice and Cruz Azul routed the Vancouver Whitecaps 5-0 on Sunday to win its seventh CONCACAF Champions Cup. Sepúlveda finished with a tournament-best nine goals. Ignacio Rivero, Lorenzo Faravelli and Mateusz Bogusz also scored for Cruz Azul, which built a 4-0 lead by halftime. The Liga MX club tied crosstown rival Club America for most titles in the tournament. It was Cruz Azul's first title since 2013-14 when La Máquina beat Tijuana. The Whitecaps were looking to make history as the first Canadian team to win the tournament, and the first winner from Major League Soccer since the Seattle Sounders in 2022. Cruz Azul had four shots on goal in the first half and scored on all of them. La Máquina took advantage of a defensive lapse by the Whitecaps and Ignacio Rivero coolly finished with his left foot in the seventh minute in front of cheering home fans at Estadio Olímpico Universitario. Faravelli's goal came after a similar defensive lapse, struck from distance and went into the net after hitting the post. After Sepúlveda's sliding goal in the 37th, Bogusz added a goal in the 45th just before the teams went into the break. Sepúlveda added another goal on a header in the 50th. It was Cruz Azul goalkeeper Kevin Mier's fourth clean sheet of the tournament. The Whitecaps had no shots on goal during the match. Vancouver was without Sebastian Berhalter because of yellow card accumulation. He scored in both legs of the semi-final against Lionel Messi and Inter Miami. The Whitecaps had hoped that captain Ryan Gauld would return from a knee injury in time for the game but he was not available. Cruz Azul advanced with a two-legged victory over UANL Tigres. It was the first meeting between the Whitecaps and Cruz Azul.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Cruz Azul thrash Vancouver Whitecaps to win CONCACAF Champions Cup
Cruz Azul's Angel Sepulveda scored twice in the 5-0 win over Vancouver Whitecaps in the CONCACAF Champions Cup final on Sunday. (Victor Cruz) Mexico's Cruz Azul smashed the Vancouver Whitecaps 5-0 to win the CONCACAF Champions Cup on Sunday for a record-equalling seventh time. Angel Sepulveda scored twice for Cruz Azul, who led 4-0 at half time in Mexico City and equal rivals Club America's record of seven CONCACAF titles. Advertisement Sepulveda finished as the tournament's top-scorer with nine goals while the Whitecaps become the third Canadian team to reach the final and lose. It was also the third straight year in which an MLS team has been beaten by a Mexican club in the continental final. The Whitecaps had high hopes of becoming the first Canadian team to win the trophy having beaten two top Mexican teams, Monterrey and Pumas, on their journey to their first appearance in the final. But they were utterly outclassed by the Mexico City club. It was an uncharacteristically poor performance from Jesper Sorensen's Whitecaps, who were punished by some ruthless finishing from the Mexican side. Advertisement Cruz Azul enjoyed home advantage at their Estadio Olimpico Universitario and they immediately brought the crowd to their feet with an eighth-minute opener. The Whitecaps gave the ball away in their own half and Carlos Rotondi pounced, threading the ball through to Ignacio Rivero, who took it first time with his left foot to fire into the far corner. It was another giveaway that led to the second, 20 minutes later, when Andres Cubas lost possession and Lorenzo Faravelli showed no hesitation as he unleashed a fierce drive which crashed in off the inside of the post. The Whitecaps, who beat Inter Miami in the semi-final to reach their first CONCACAF title game, looked nothing like the team that has impressed so much this season and they were soon in deeper trouble. Advertisement The Vancouver defence were slow to react to a quick throw-in and Rotondi broke down the left and delivered a pinpoint low cross which Sepulveda deftly flicked past Yohei Takaoka. It was one-way traffic and Vancouver were punished again when a half-clearance fell to Polish midfielder Mateusz Bogusz just outside the box. The former Los Angeles FC player drilled home from the edge of the box. Cruz Azul went in at half time having scored four goals from four attempts on goal and with their opponents looking shell-shocked. It got worse five minutes after the restart when Cubas was robbed again in deep midfield and from the counter-attack Jorge Sanchez crossed and Sepulveda rose superbly to head home his second and his ninth goal in the competition. sev/pst
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
LAFC book place in Chelsea's group at Club World Cup
Los Angeles FC booked a place in Chelsea's group at this summer's Fifa Club World Cup after coming from behind to beat Club America in a play-off. Gabon international Denis Bouanga drilled home the winner five minutes from the end of extra time after the match, being played at LAFC's BMO Stadium, had finished 1-1. Advertisement The one-off game was played after the Court of Arbitration for Sport upheld Fifa's decision to expel Mexican side Club Leon from the new extended 32-team tournament, which will be played in the United States from 15 June to 13 July. Fifa determined in March that Club Leon did not meet tournament regulations on multi-club ownership. They had qualified for the Club World Cup after beating LAFC in the 2023 Concacaf Champions League final, while Club America were the highest-ranked team behind Club Leon in confederation ranking who did not qualify for the competition. Club America took the lead in the play-off through a 64th minute penalty by former LAFC player Brian Rodriguez after Mark Delgado had fouled Erick Sanchez. Advertisement Brazilian Igor Jesus headed home an 89th-minute equaliser, his first LAFC goal, to take the game into extra time. Former Chelsea and Arsenal forward Oliver Giroud provided the spark for LAFC after being introduced off the bench in the 74th minute. The 38-year-old, a World Cup winner with France, set up Bouanga's winner as the play-off looked to be heading for a penalty shootout. LAFC, who also include former Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris in their ranks, will face Chelsea in their opening Group D fixture in Atalanta on 16 June, before further matches against Brazilian side Flamengo and Esperance Sportive de Tunis.
BBC News
a day ago
- Business
- BBC News
LAFC book place in Chelsea's group at Club World Cup
Los Angeles FC booked a place in Chelsea's group at this summer's Fifa Club World Cup after coming from behind to beat Club America in a play-off. Gabon international Denis Bouanga drilled home the winner five minutes from the end of extra time after the match, being played at LAFC's BMO Stadium, had finished 1-1. The one-off game was played after the Court of Arbitration for Sport upheld Fifa's decision to expel Mexican side Club Leon from the new extended 32-team tournament, which will be played in the United States from 15 June to 13 July. Fifa determined in March that Club Leon did not meet tournament regulations on multi-club ownership. They had qualified for the Club World Cup after beating LAFC in the 2023 Concacaf Champions League final, while Club America were the highest-ranked team behind Club Leon in confederation ranking who did not qualify for the America took the lead in the play-off through a 64th minute penalty by former LAFC player Brian Rodriguez after Mark Delgado had fouled Erick Igor Jesus headed home an 89th-minute equaliser, his first LAFC goal, to take the game into extra time. Former Chelsea and Arsenal forward Oliver Giroud provided the spark for LAFC after being introduced off the bench in the 74th 38-year-old, a World Cup winner with France, set up Bouanga's winner as the play-off looked to be heading for a penalty who also include former Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris in their ranks, will face Chelsea in their opening Group D fixture in Atalanta on 16 June, before further matches against Brazilian side Flamengo and Esperance Sportive de Tunis.
