Denis Bouanga delivered a dramatic 115th-minute winner as LAFC stunned Club América 2-1 in a high-stakes playoff at BMO Stadium on May 31, clinching the final spot in the expanded 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.
The match saw América take the lead in the 64th minute when former LAFC winger Brian Rodríguez converted a penalty. With time running out, LAFC’s Igor Jesus equalized in the 89th minute, heading home Bouanga’s corner for his first goal with the club.
The tension peaked in extra time as both teams pressed for a decisive goal. Bouanga, already a two-time MLS Best XI selection, seized his moment in the 115th minute, firing a deflected shot past América’s Luis Malagón to avoid penalty kicks and ignite celebrations among the home crowd.
The victory secures LAFC’s debut in the 32-team Club World Cup, joining Chelsea, Flamengo, and ES Tunis in Group D. The tournament runs June 14–July across the United States, with LAFC set to open against Chelsea on June.
This win not only guarantees LAFC at least $9.55 million in prize money but also marks a milestone for Major League Soccer, as LAFC joins Seattle Sounders and Inter Miami in representing the league on the global stage.
Bouanga’s late-game brilliance and LAFC’s resilience have set the stage for a summer of international competition—and left Club América with heartbreak in Los Angeles.
