Dennis Banga is a thrilling special winner with Club America as he secured the final spot at the Los Angeles FC FIFA Club World Cup 2025.
Gabon Forward Denis Bouanga scored in extra time, with Los Angeles FC (LAFC) dramatically securing the final spot of the FIFA Club World Cup, winning 2-1 in the play-in match against Mexican side club America.
Igor Jesus tied it for LAFC on the 89th minute on Saturday night, sliding over traffic and changing the header of his first goal with his new club.
After an extra 24 minutes, Baanga dived into the play, firing a deflected shot from the top of the penalty area in the 115th minute, causing a wild celebration at BMO Stadium, sending LAFC to the first FIFA Club World Cup.
LAFC will take part in the English club Chelsea, Flamengo from Brazil and Estunis from Tunisia when group play begins in two weeks in the Southern United States.
The LAFC victory is a huge advantage for Major League Soccer (MLS) power, guaranteeing a prize of at least $9.55 million to make the tournament field. The club also has the chance to increase its prize money by nearly $100 million from FIFA’s roughly $1 billion pool.
Brian Rodriguez moved ahead mid-second half by changing the penalty kick against the previous team, but Russ Aguilas was short in front of thousands of supporters.
One spot for the 32-team Club World Cup was opened as FIFA disqualified Mexican side Leon under rules for participation by multiple clubs owned by the same entity. Leon and Pachuca are owned by the same group, and Leon lost his appeal to the Sports Court of Arbitration four weeks ago after attempting to change the ownership structure.
Second half thriller
In a stadium full of loud fans supporting both teams, LAFC and Club America were cautious in the first half, with only one shot on target.
Rodriguez beat Hugo Lloris out of the spot in the 64th minute, taking advantage of the penalty awarded following a video review of Mark Delgado’s dangerous spike-up challenge at Eric Sanchez.
Rodriguez, who came as a halftime replacement after recovering from his recent injury, spent part of four seasons at LAFC from 2019 to 2022 before the Uruguayan winger moved to the US for a hefty transfer fee.
When Olivier Giroud appeared as a second half replacement, LAFC moved offensively. The French star almost tilted the pass in the box in the 81st minute, but Lewis Maragon stopped him. The LAFC put slow pressure on the back of Banga and Jiroux.
Jesus, a 22-year-old Brazilian midfielder, finally defeated Maragon with a header inside the box.
Lloris stopped Javairo Dilrosun’s point blank chance just before the winner of Bouanga.
Tickets for the match will be distributed equally to club supporters, and Club America has huge fans in Los Angeles. There, Mexican teams and players receive extensive support every time they visit. Club America fans hit the South Stands at BMO Stadium 90 minutes before kickoff, but were packed with LAFC’s famous North End crowds.
Both sections set off fireworks and smoke bombs after kickoff, highlighting the incredible atmosphere and tasting what comes in June and July.
The biggest Club World Cup ever will be held all over the United States as a precursor to the return of the FIFA World Cup to North America in 2026. InterMiami and Seattle Sounders are already qualified from MLS, while Pachuca and Monterrey are qualified from the La Liga MX.
