LAFC outlasts Club América, advances to 2025 FIFA Club World Cup | OneFootball

LOS ANGELES – Los Angeles FC earned a 2-1 victory over Club América after extra time to win the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup Play-In on Saturday at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, California, USA.

The two sides played a 1-1 draw in regular time, prompting for extra time to decide who would become the final participant in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. Denis Bouanga delivered the match-winning goal in extra time to complete the comeback for the Black-and-Gold.

LAFC nearly had the opening goal from a free kick chance in the 22’, but the attempt from Nathan Ordaz went wide of the right post.

The Liga MX side opened the scoring in the 64’ when Brian Rodríguez converted a penalty kick attempt.

Denis Bouanga had a left-footed strike from close range in the 70’ but was denied by América goalkeeper Luis Ángel Malagón.

Rodríguez nearly collected his brace in the 74’ with a strike from the left side of the box, but the ball was just outside of the right post.

Olivier Giroud came off the bench and had a strike inside the box in the 76’ but was blocked by América defender Israel Reyes.

Giroud had another attempt in the 82’, striking with the outside of his left foot, but Malagón was there for the stop.

Igor Jesus equalized for the MLS side with a header off a corner kick in the 89’, connecting with a service from Bouanga.

Bouanga dribbled into the box to take a shot in the 90’+6’ but was denied the match-winner, sending the match to extra time.

Javairô Dilrosun struck from the right side of the box in the 108’ but LAFC goalkeeper Hugo Lloris denied the attempt.

Diego Valdés threatened from a free kick attempt in the 111’ but was just wide of the target.

Bouanga broke through with LAFC’s second goal in the 115’, playing off Giroud to strike from outside the box.

LAFC joins recent Concacaf Champions Cup winners CF Monterrey, Seattle Sounders FC, CF Pachuca, and tournament hosts Inter Miami CF in the first edition of the expanded 32-team format, which will be played every four years. The 2025 edition will be hosted in the USA from June 14 to July 13.

The California side will be slotted into Group D to meet the likes of Chelsea FC on June 16 in Atlanta, Espérance de Tunis on June 20 in Nashville, and Flamengo on June 24 in Orlando.