Los Angeles FC (LAFC) secured a spot in Chelsea’s group at the upcoming Fifa Club World Cup by overcoming Club América in a playoff.
With five minutes left in extra time at LAFC’s BMO Stadium, Gabon’s Denis Bouanga scored the game-winning goal, breaking a 1-1 tie.
Following the Court of Arbitration for Sport’s affirmation of Fifa’s decision to remove Club Leon, officials played a single game to replace them in the expanded 32-team tournament in the United States (June 15-July 13).
Fifa’s March decision declared Club Leon ineligible due to multi-club ownership violations.
Their victory over LAFC in the 2023 Concacaf Champions League final earned them a berth in the Club World Cup, leaving Club América as the top-ranked team not to qualify, following Club León.
A 64th-minute penalty scored by Brian Rodriguez (formerly of LAFC) put Club América ahead in the playoffs following a foul by Mark Delgado on Erick Sanchez.
Igor Jesus of Brazil scored his first goal for LAFC in the 89th minute, tying the game and forcing extra time.
Coming off the bench in the 74th minute, former Gunner and Blue Oliver Giroud ignited LAFC.
As the playoff neared penalties, the 38-year-old French World Cup champion assisted Bouanga’s game-winning goal.
The schedule has LAFC playing Chelsea in their first Group D match in Atalanta on June 16. They will then go up against Flamengo from Brazil and Esperance Sportive de Tunis.
