Los Angeles FC (LAFC) secured a 2-1 victory over Mexico’s Club América in the first round of the 32nd Club World Cup qualifying playoff match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles. Denis Bouanga scored the winner in extra time after unleashing a shot that took a deflection, securing LAFC’s spot in the expanded tournament.
LAFC trailed 0-1 at halftime but equalized in the 89th minute with Igor Jesus’ header from a corner kick. The match went to extra time, and Bouanga scored the winning goal in the 115th minute. The Major League Soccer side will face Brazil’s Flamengo, Tunisian club Esperance de Tunis, and Premier League side Chelsea in Group D.
LAFC’s victory guarantees at least $9.55m in prize money for participating in the tournament. The expanded Club World Cup features $1bn in prize money and runs from June 14 to July 13 in the United States.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/jun/01/lafc-club-world-cup-america-denis-bouanga