LAFC book place in Chelsea's Group at Club World Cup

By Daily Sports Nigeria on June 2, 2025

Los Angeles FC booked a place in Chelsea's group at this summer's Fifa Club World Cup after coming from behind to beat Club America in a play-off.

Gabon international Denis Bouanga drilled home the winner five minutes from the end of extra time after the match, being played at LAFC's BMO Stadium, had finished 1-1.

The one-off game was played after the Court of Arbitration for Sport upheld Fifa's decision to expel Mexican side Club Leon from the new extended 32-team tournament, which will be played in the United States from 15 June to 13 July.

Fifa determined in March that Club Leon did not meet tournament regulations on multi-club ownership.

They had qualified for the Club World Cup after beating LAFC in the 2023 Concacaf Champions League final, while Club America were the highest-ranked team behind Club Leon in confederation ranking who did not qualify for the competition.

Club America took the lead in the play-off through a 64th minute penalty by former LAFC player Brian Rodriguez after Mark Delgado had fouled Erick Sanchez.

Brazilian Igor Jesus headed home an 89th-minute equaliser, his first LAFC goal, to take the game into extra time.

Former Chelsea and Arsenal forward Oliver Giroud provided the spark for LAFC after being introduced off the bench in the 74th minute.

The 38-year-old, a World Cup winner with France, set up Bouanga's winner as the play-off looked to be heading for a penalty shootout.

LAFC, who also include former Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris in their ranks, will face Chelsea in their opening Group D fixture in Atalanta on 16 June, before further matches against Brazilian side Flamengo and Esperance Sportive de Tunis.

Source BBC Sports

Posted June 2, 2025


 

You may also like...
Juventus Upset Korea Fans with Ronaldo No-Show

Rivers United not gunning for revenge against Rangers...

Salah Strikes Twice As Liverpool Go Third

Real Madrid Eager To Move On Eight Senior...

Zamalek seeks Egyptian citizenship for Nigerian player Yussuf...

Hamilton 'devastated' after running over groundhog

 

Latest News NPFL: Rangers win big as Nasarawa shock Abia Nigeria know World Table Tennis Champs foes today Bayelsa athletics boss Oredipe maps out dev plans Falcons stars dominate IFFHS Africa XI Eguavoen backs NPFL talents for Nigeria squad despite CHAN failure He’s very strong, Simeone returns Osimhen praise Joshua boxing return still uncertain NBA star Bane eyes Nigeria switch Palmer 'very, very happy' at Chelsea, says Rosenior AFCON 2025: VAR recording discloses what referee said before Morocco's penalty miss against Senegal AFCON 2025 highlights: World-class stadiums, VAR drama, record attendance Oliseh slams Osimhen for costing Eagles’ AFCON trophy

 

Most Read Rangers International going, going . . . (63,494 views) Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (54,788 views) Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (52,684 views) Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (52,344 views) Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (52,277 views) Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (52,187 views) Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (52,054 views) NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (51,608 views) Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (50,787 views) Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (49,315 views) Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (47,704 views) John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (47,173 views)

 

Phone numbers

Tel: +234(0)8066020976
+234(0)8055068145
+234(0)7013416146
+234(0)8094272884

Email addresses

info@dailysportsng.com
support@dailysportsng.com
publisher@dailysportsng.com

Office address

No 3, Adetoun Close, Off College Road, Ogba, Ikeja Lagos.
Website: www.dailysportsng.com

Social Media