Bouanga’s Extra-Time Heroics Send LAFC to FIFA Club World Cup After Thrilling Win Over Club América

Late Drama Sees MLS Side Secure Historic Qualification in Dramatic Playoff Victory

Denis Bouanga delivered a moment of magic in extra time to fire Los Angeles FC (LAFC) into the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, sealing a dramatic 2-1 victory over Mexico’s Club América in a high-stakes playoff at BMO Stadium on Saturday night. 

The match, held to determine the final participant in the expanded 32-team tournament, saw LAFC fight back from a late deficit before Bouanga’s deflected strike in the 115th minute sent the home crowd into raptures. The win books LAFC’s place in Group D alongside Brazil’s Flamengo, Tunisia’s Esperance de Tunis, and England’s Chelsea. 

A Match of Twists and Turns
After a tense first half with few clear chances, Club América broke the deadlock in the 62nd minute when referee Wilton Sampaio awarded a penalty following a VAR review. Former LAFC winger Brian Rodríguez, now with América, stepped up and coolly converted past ex-Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris. 

With time running out, LAFC pushed desperately for an equalizer and found it in the 89th minute when Brazilian defender Igor Jesus powered home a header from a corner, marking his first goal for the club in stunning fashion. 

Extra time saw both teams battle fatigue, but Bouanga, LAFC’s dynamic forward, proved the difference-maker. The Gabon international, who had been a constant threat all night, unleashed a fierce shot in the 115th minute that took a cruel deflection, wrong-footing América’s goalkeeper and sending LAFC to their first-ever Club World Cup. 

A Billion-Dollar Dream
The victory secures LAFC’s place in the revamped FIFA Club World Cup, set to take place across the United States from June 14 to July 13, 2025. With a record $1 billion in prize money at stake, the tournament will feature elite clubs from around the globe, offering LAFC a chance to test themselves against the best. 

For Club América, the defeat marks a bitter end to their hopes of replacing Liga MX rivals Club León, who were disqualified from the tournament in March due to an ownership rule violation. 
 
LAFC now shifts focus to preparing for their historic World Cup campaign, where they will face South American giants Flamengo, African champions Esperance, and European heavyweights Chelsea. For Bouanga and his teammates, the dream of global glory is now within reach.