Denis Bouanga scored on a blast in the 115th minute and host Los Angeles FC rallied for a 2-1 extra-time victory over Mexico’s Club America on Saturday to earn a spot in the 32-team Club World Cup while landing a nearly $10-million guaranteed payday.
Bouanga also delivered a corner kick that Igor Jesus converted into a game-tying header in the 89th minute as LAFC earned a date with Chelsea of the English Premier League when they begin Club World Cup group play in mid-June.
Brian Rodriguez converted from the penalty spot for Club America against his former club in the 64th minute.
Club America goalkeeper Luis Malagon made seven saves, while LAFC goalkeeper Hugo Lloris made three.
The play-in game Saturday decided the Club World Cup’s final participant for the month-long tournament that begins June 14 June and ends with the final on July 13 in New York. Other teams in LAFC’s Group D will be Flamengo of Brazil and ES Tunis of Tunisia.
Each Club World Cup participant is guaranteed to receive a $9.55 million payday even if they fail to advance from the group stage. Each group play victory is worth an additional $2 million. The eventual champion will earn more than $100 million.
Club America and LAFC of MLS were battling for a tournament spot left vacated by Mexico’s Leon, who had to bow out because they are owned by the same entity that also owns Mexico’s Pachuca, who had already qualified for the field. MLS clubs Inter Miami and the Seattle Sounders also have qualified.
Bouanga’s game-winner came from just outside the penalty area as he charged onto a ball that was tapped into open space by Olivier Giroud.
After a scoreless first half, Club America finally got the break it needed 15 minutes into the second half when LAFC’s Mark Delgado committed a foul in the penalty area and Rodriguez delivered from the spot.
LAFC ultimately tied it late in regulation time when Bouanga’s corner kick found the head of Jesus as the Brazil native delivered his first goal with the club.
–Field Level Media
