Latest news with #ClubAmérica
News18
3 days ago
- Sport
- News18
LAFC Book Spot In FIFA Club World Cup With 3-2 Win Over Club America
Last Updated: 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
See - Sada Elbalad
3 days ago
- Sport
- See - Sada Elbalad
Los Angeles FC Qualify for 2025 FIFA Club World Cup
Rana Atef Early Sunday, the Los Angeles FC completed the list of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup participants. Los Angeles FC defeated Club América of Mexico 2-1 in a playoff match to determine the final qualifier for the Club World Cup. This came after FIFA's decision to exclude León of Mexico due to their ownership links with Pachuca, one of the participating teams in the tournament. Los Angeles FC are enlisted in Group D, alongside Brazilian side Flamengo, Tunisian club Esperance, and English team Chelsea. Club América's Brian Rodríguez scored the first goal in the match with a penalty in the 64th minute. However, Los Angeles FC managed to overturn the match with two consecutive goals, one from Igor Jesús in the 89th minute and another from Denis Bouanga in the 117th minute, after extra time. Los Angeles FC qualified for this match after finishing second in the 2023 CONCACAF Champions League, while Club América entered the playoff as the highest-ranked team in the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football, following the conclusion of the 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup. read more Japan Stun Spain 2-1 to Qualify for World Cup Last 16 World Cup 2022: Get to Know Confirmed Line-ups of Japan and Spain Group E Decider Saudi Arabia Bid Farewell to World Cup after 2-1 Loss to Mexico Tunisia Achieve Historic Win over France but Fail to Qualify Tunisia to Clash against France in World Cup Sports Get to Know Squad of Group D Teams in World Cup Sports Al Ahly Gift EGP 70,000 to Players After Claiming Egyptian Super Cup Title Sports Bencharki Hits First 2 Goals with Al Jazira Since Leaving Zamalek Sports Arsenal Possible Line-up for Nottingham Forest News Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia News Australia Fines Telegram $600,000 Over Terrorism, Child Abuse Content Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Sports Neymar Announced for Brazil's Preliminary List for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers News Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies Arts & Culture New Archaeological Discovery from 26th Dynasty Uncovered in Karnak Temple Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War Arts & Culture Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks News Shell Unveils Cost-Cutting, LNG Growth Plan
Los Angeles Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- Los Angeles Times
Denis Bouanga scores in 115th minute to lift LAFC into the FIFA Club World Cup
It was no secret what was at stake in the FIFA Club World Cup play-in — millions of dollars, a potential boon for the future. And with one shot, LAFC cashed in. In a marathon match, Dénis Bouanga scored in the 115th minute to lift LAFC to a 2-1 comeback win over Club América at BMO Stadium on Saturday night, pushing LAFC into the FIFA Club World Cup. Bouanga's right-footed shot from outside the box glanced off the left calf of América defender Miguel Vázquez, redirecting the ball into the back of the net and baffling goalkeeper Luis Malagón. LAFC will receive $9.55 million just for qualifying for the Club World Cup, which begins June 14 and will take place in cities across the United States. The participation payday is the equivalent of nearly half of LAFC's $20 million payroll — a potential boon for a team that could try to land a marquee star in the months ahead. The win over Club America means $1 million to be split among LAFC's 30 players. In addition, the 64-team tournament will allow LAFC to raise its profile on the global stage — Premier League blueblood Chelsea is among the teams LAFC will face in group play. The total prize pool for the Club World Cup is more than $1 billion. It took some late-game heroics for LAFC to earn one of its biggest wins in franchise history. Uruguayan winger Brian Rodriguez, who played with LAFC from 2019 to 2022 before being sold to América, scored on a penalty kick in the 64th minute after LAFC's Mark Delgado fouled Erick Sánchez. Rodríguez buried a right-footed shot past the outstretched arms of LAFC goalkeeper Hugo Lloris to give América a 1-0 lead. LAFC refused to let victory slip away. After putting relentless pressure on the América defense for most of the second half, Igor Jesus scored on a header off a corner kick by Bouanga to tie the score in the 89th minute. Ultimately, Bouanga would prove to be the hero in a game loaded with significance for the players, team and fans. Everyone in BMO Stadium felt the weight of the matchup, with many of the home crowd calling it the biggest game in the club's history. Bigger than any MLS Cup championship or CONCACAF Champions League final. The gravity of the moment was unmistakable — the consequences of a loss, and the eventual magnitude of a win. 'It's a $10 million payday, so it's like a final,' LAFC fan Brett Sullivan said.
Washington Post
3 days ago
- General
- Washington Post
LAFC claims final spot in Club World Cup with 2-1 victory over Club América in play-in match
LOS ANGELES — Denis Bouanga scored late in extra time and Los Angeles FC dramatically secured the final spot in the FIFA Club World Cup with a 2-1 victory over Club América in a play-in match on Saturday night. Igor Jesus tied it for LAFC in the 89th minute, slipping through traffic and converting a header for his first goal with his new club.
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
LAFC earns final FIFA Club World Cup spot with win over Club America
LAFC earns final FIFA Club World Cup spot with win over Club America Show Caption Hide Caption Relegation in MLS? Tyler Adams thinks it should be added USMNT and Premiere League player Tyler Adams thinks relegation would make the MLS as a whole more exciting and competitive for the players and fans. Sports Seriously LAFC has secured the last ticket to the big dance, rallying to defeat Club América, 2-1, in a FIFA Club World Cup playoff that required extra time at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles. Former LAFC attacker Brian Rodríguez had given América a 64th-minute lead from a VAR-assisted penalty kick, and the Liga MX powers seemed to have done just enough to claim a win that will be worth nearly $10 million at a minimum. However, Igor Jesus' 89th-minute header leveled the scored, saving LAFC, and in extra time Denis Bouanga — the club's most important player in recent years — added to his legend by firing home the winner in the 115th minute. The win sends LAFC into the Club World Cup, where they will join English giant Chelsea, Tunisian club Esperance Sportive de Tunis, and Flamengo, arguably the most well-supported club in Brazil. Why was there a Club World Cup playoff between LAFC and Club América? LAFC and Club América were in a playoff due to a convoluted series of events that could only happen when you get Concacaf and FIFA together to sort out a new tournament format. Initially, the last four winners of the Concacaf Champions Cup — Monterrey, the Seattle Sounders, Club León, and Pachuca — were set to take places in the Club World Cup. However, Club León and Pachuca share owners, something FIFA said cannot be permitted at the Club World Cup. FIFA eventually decided that León was disqualified, and announced a playoff between LAFC (the team León defeated in the 2023 Concacaf Champions Cup) and Club América (the top-ranked Concacaf team in FIFA's rankings for Club World Cup purposes). León, Pachuca, and Costa Rican club Alajuelense all appealed, with Alajuelense arguing that as Central America's top-ranked team, they should be admitted, but all were rejected. That leaves the final spot in Group D up for grabs, with Saturday's winner claiming the place. When is the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup? Group Stage : June 14-June 26 : June 14-June 26 Round of 16 : June 28-July 1 : June 28-July 1 Quarterfinals : July 4-5 : July 4-5 Semifinals : July 8-9 : July 8-9 Finals: July 13 What teams are in FIFA Club World Cup? There are 32 teams in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup that have been separated into eight groups of four for the round-robin group stage in June. Here's how the field breaks down Group A Al Ahly FC (Egypt) FC Porto (Portugal) SE Palmeiras (Brazil) Inter Miami (United States) Group B Paris Saint-Germain (France) Atlético de Madrid (Spain) Botafogo (Brazil) Seattle Sounders FC (United States) Group C FC Bayern München (Germany) Auckland City FC (New Zealand) CA Boca Juniors (Argentina) SL Benfica (Portugal) Group D Espérance Sportive de Tunis (Tunisia) CR Flamengo (Brazil) Chelsea FC (England) LAFC (United States) Group E CA River Plate (Argentina) Urawa Red Diamonds (Japan) CF Monterrey (Mexico) Inter Milan (Italy) Group F Fluminense FC (Brazil) Borussia Dortmund (Germany) Ulsan HD (South Korea) Mamelodi Sundowns FC (South Africa) Group G Manchester City (England) Wydad AC (Morocco) Al Ain FC (United Arab Emirates) Juventus FC (Italy) Group H Real Madrid (Spain) Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia) CF Pachuca (Mexico) FC Salzburg (Austria) How to watch FIFA World Cup 2025: TV, streaming options Every match during the 2025 FIFA World Cup will be live streamed for free on which is the exclusive global broadcaster of the event. FIFA Club World Cup 2025 match schedule GROUP STAGE Saturday, June 14 Group A: Al Ahly vs. Inter Miami, 8 p.m. ET (Miami) Sunday, June 15 Group C: Bayern Munich vs. Auckland City, 12 p.m. ET (Cincinnati) Bayern Munich vs. Auckland City, 12 p.m. ET (Cincinnati) Group B: Paris Saint-Germain vs. Atlético Madrid, 3 p.m. ET (Pasadena, California) Paris Saint-Germain vs. Atlético Madrid, 3 p.m. ET (Pasadena, California) Group A: SE Palmeiras vs. FC Porto, 6 p.m. ET (East Rutherford, New Jersey) SE Palmeiras vs. FC Porto, 6 p.m. ET (East Rutherford, New Jersey) Group B: Botafogo vs. Seattle Sounders, 10 p.m. ET (Seattle) Monday, June 16 Group D: Chelsea vs. LAFC, 3 p.m. ET (Atlanta) Chelsea vs. LAFC, 3 p.m. ET (Atlanta) Group C: Boca Juniors vs. Benfica, 6 p.m. ET (Miami) Boca Juniors vs. Benfica, 6 p.m. ET (Miami) Group D: Flamengo vs. Espérance de Tunis, 9 p.m. ET (Philadelphia) Tuesday, June 17 Group F: Fluminense vs. Borussia Dortmund, 12 p.m. ET (East Rutherford, New Jersey) Fluminense vs. Borussia Dortmund, 12 p.m. ET (East Rutherford, New Jersey) Group E: River Plate vs. Urawa Red Diamonds, 3 p.m. ET (Seattle) River Plate vs. Urawa Red Diamonds, 3 p.m. ET (Seattle) Group F: Ulsan HD vs. Mamelodi Sundowns, 6 p.m. ET (Orlando, Florida) Ulsan HD vs. Mamelodi Sundowns, 6 p.m. ET (Orlando, Florida) Group E: Monterrey vs. Inter Milan, 9 p.m. ET (Pasadena, California) Wednesday, June 18 Group G: Manchester City vs. Wydad AC, 12 p.m. ET (Philadelphia) Manchester City vs. Wydad AC, 12 p.m. ET (Philadelphia) Group H: Real Madrid vs. Al Hilal, 3 p.m. ET (Miami) Real Madrid vs. Al Hilal, 3 p.m. ET (Miami) Group H: Pachuca vs. FC Salzburg, 6 p.m. ET (Cincinnati) Pachuca vs. FC Salzburg, 6 p.m. ET (Cincinnati) Group G: Al Ain vs. Juventus, 9 p.m. (Washington, D.C.) Thursday, June 19 Group A: Palmeiras vs. Al Ahly, 12 p.m. ET, (East Rutherford, New Jersey) Palmeiras vs. Al Ahly, 12 p.m. ET, (East Rutherford, New Jersey) Group A: Inter Miami vs. Porto, 3 p.m. ET, (Atlanta) Inter Miami vs. Porto, 3 p.m. ET, (Atlanta) Group B: Seattle Sounders vs. Atlético Madrid, 6 p.m. ET (Seattle) Seattle Sounders vs. Atlético Madrid, 6 p.m. ET (Seattle) Group B: Paris Saint-Germain vs. Botafogo, 9 p.m. ET (Pasadena, California) Friday, June 20 Group C: Benfica vs. Auckland City, 12 p.m. ET (Orlando, Florida) Benfica vs. Auckland City, 12 p.m. ET (Orlando, Florida) Group D: Flamengo vs. Chelsea, 2 p.m. ET (Philadelphia) Flamengo vs. Chelsea, 2 p.m. ET (Philadelphia) Group D : LAFC vs. Espérance de Tunis, 6 p.m. ET (Nashville, Tennessee) : LAFC vs. Espérance de Tunis, 6 p.m. ET (Nashville, Tennessee) Group C: Bayern Munich vs. Boca Juniors, 9 p.m. ET (Miami) Saturday, June 21 Group F: Mamelodi Sundowns vs. Borussia Dortmund, 12 p.m. ET (Cincinnati) Mamelodi Sundowns vs. Borussia Dortmund, 12 p.m. ET (Cincinnati) Group E: Inter Milan vs. Urawa Red Diamonds, 3 p.m. ET (Seattle) Inter Milan vs. Urawa Red Diamonds, 3 p.m. ET (Seattle) Group F: Fluminense vs. Ulsan HD, 6 p.m. ET (East Rutherford, New Jersey) Fluminense vs. Ulsan HD, 6 p.m. ET (East Rutherford, New Jersey) Group E: River Plate vs. Monterrey, 9 p.m. ET (Pasadena, California) Sunday, June 22 Group G: Juventus vs. Wydad AC, 12 p.m. ET (Philadelphia) Juventus vs. Wydad AC, 12 p.m. ET (Philadelphia) Group H: Real Madrid vs. Pachuca, 3 p.m. ET (Charlotte, North Carolina) Real Madrid vs. Pachuca, 3 p.m. ET (Charlotte, North Carolina) Group H: FC Salzburg vs. Al Hilal, 6 p.m. ET (Washington, D.C.) FC Salzburg vs. Al Hilal, 6 p.m. ET (Washington, D.C.) Group G: Manchester City vs. Al Ain, 9 p.m. ET (Atlanta) Monday, June 23 Group B: Atlético Madrid vs. Botafogo, 3 p.m. ET (Pasadena, California) Atlético Madrid vs. Botafogo, 3 p.m. ET (Pasadena, California) Group B : Seattle Sounders vs. Paris Saint-Germain, 3 p.m. ET (Seattle) : Seattle Sounders vs. Paris Saint-Germain, 3 p.m. ET (Seattle) Group A: Inter Miami vs. Palmeiras, 9 p.m. ET (Miami) Inter Miami vs. Palmeiras, 9 p.m. ET (Miami) Group A: Porto vs. Al Ahly, 9 p.m. ET (East Rutherford, New Jersey) Tuesday, June 24 Group C: Benfica vs. Bayern Munich, 3 p.m. ET (Charlotte) Benfica vs. Bayern Munich, 3 p.m. ET (Charlotte) Group C: Auckland City vs. Boca Juniors, 3 p.m. ET (Nashville) Auckland City vs. Boca Juniors, 3 p.m. ET (Nashville) Group D: Espérance de Tunis vs. Chelsea, 9 p.m. ET (Philadelphia) Espérance de Tunis vs. Chelsea, 9 p.m. ET (Philadelphia) Group D: LAFC vs. Flamengo, 9 p.m. ET (Orlando) Wednesday, June 25 Group F: Borussia Dortmund vs. Ulsan HD, 3 p.m. ET (Cincinnati) Borussia Dortmund vs. Ulsan HD, 3 p.m. ET (Cincinnati) Group F: Mamelodi Sundowns vs. Fluminense, 3 p.m. ET (Miami) Mamelodi Sundowns vs. Fluminense, 3 p.m. ET (Miami) Group E: Inter Milan vs. River Plate, 9 p.m. ET (Seattle) Inter Milan vs. River Plate, 9 p.m. ET (Seattle) Group E: Urawa Red Diamonds vs. Monterrey, 9 p.m. ET (Pasadena) Thursday, June 26 Group G: Wydad AC vs. Al Ain, 3 p.m. ET (Washington) Wydad AC vs. Al Ain, 3 p.m. ET (Washington) Group G: Juventus vs. Manchester City, 3 p.m. ET (Orlando) Juventus vs. Manchester City, 3 p.m. ET (Orlando) Group H: Al Hilal vs. Pachuca, 9 p.m. ET (Nashville) Al Hilal vs. Pachuca, 9 p.m. ET (Nashville) Group H: FC Salzburg vs. Real Madrid, 9 p.m. ET (Philadelphia) FIFA Club World Cup Round of 16 Saturday, June 28 Match 49: Winners of Group A vs. Group B runner-up (Philadelphia) Match 50: Winners of Group C vs. Group D runner-up (Charlotte) Sunday, June 29 Match 51: Winners of Group B vs. Group A runner-up (Atlanta) Match 52: Winners of Group D vs. Group C runner-up (Miami) Monday, June 30 Match 53: Winners of Group E vs. Group F runner-up (Charlotte) Match 54: Winners of Group G vs. Group H runner-up (Orlando) Tuesday, July 1 Match 55: Winners of Group F vs. Group E runner-up (Atlanta) Match 56: Winners of Group H vs. Group G runner-up (Miami) FIFA Club World Cup Quarterfinals Friday, July 4 Match 57: Winners of Match 49 vs. Winners of Match 50 (Philadelphia) Match 58: Winners of Match 53 vs. Winners of Match 54 (Orlando) Saturday, July 5 Match 59: Winners of Match 51 vs. Winners of Match 52 (Atlanta) Match 60: Winners of Match 55 vs. Winners of Match 56 (East Rutherford) FIFA Club World Cup Semifinals Tuesday, July 8 Match 61: Winners of Match 57 vs. Winners of Match 58 (East Rutherford) Wednesday, July 9 Match 62: Winners of Match 59 vs. Winners of Match 60 (East Rutherford) FIFA Club World Cup Final Sunday, July 13 Match 63: Winners of Match 61 vs. Winners of Match 62 (East Rutherford) The biggest stories, every morning. 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