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Denis Bouanga scored a dramatic extra-time winner to secure Los Angeles FC’s (LAFC) spot in the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup with a 2-1 victory over Mexico’s Club América on Saturday.
The high-stakes match, held at LAFC’s BMO Stadium, offered the last available berth in the 32-team tournament, along with a lucrative $9.5 million in participation money. Former LAFC forward Brian Rodríguez looked to have sealed the win for América with a 64th-minute penalty, but LAFC fought back.
Brazilian striker Igor Jesus levelled the game with a powerful header in the 89th minute, forcing extra time. With penalties looming, French striker Olivier Giroud laid the ball off for Bouanga, whose deflected shot found the net just five minutes before the final whistle.
Tension ran high throughout the match, with a passionate crowd split between the two sides. Club América controlled more of the possession early on, but failed to truly test LAFC goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.
A pivotal moment came when a VAR review deemed Mark Delgado’s tackle on Erick Sánchez a foul, leading to Rodríguez’s confident spot-kick finish. However, Rodríguez missed a key opportunity to double the lead minutes later.
Giroud’s introduction in the 74th minute proved vital. The former Arsenal and France striker caused problems for the Mexican defence, forcing two key saves from América’s Luis Malagón. Eventually, Jesus’s equaliser came from a Bouanga corner.
LAFC’s winner arrived in the dying moments of extra time. Frankie Amaya slipped a pass to Giroud, who teed up Bouanga for a strike that deflected past Malagón, securing LAFC’s place in the tournament.
Bouanga, who has now scored 80 goals for the club since arriving from Saint-Étienne in 2022, delivered what may be his most crucial goal yet.
The result grants LAFC entry into Group D at the Club World Cup, where they will face Chelsea (England), Flamengo (Brazil), and Espérance de Tunis (Tunisia). The tournament begins on June 14 and will conclude with a final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 13, where the winner will collect a prize exceeding $100 million.
The play-off became necessary after Mexican club León were banned from the tournament due to a conflict of ownership with fellow Liga MX side Pachuca. As the 2023 CONCACAF Champions League runners-up, LAFC were given the opportunity to contest América, ranked highest in the confederation.
LAFC’s qualification means the United States will have three representatives in the tournament, alongside Inter Miami and the Seattle Sounders.
