Los Angeles FC punched their ticket to the CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinals Tuesday night after Denis Bouanga converted a crucial penalty kick deep into stoppage time, securing a 1-1 tie with Cruz Azul in Puebla, Mexico. The result gave LAFC a commanding 3-1 victory over the two-leg quarterfinal series.
LAFC entered the match with a substantial 3-0 advantage from their home victory the previous week, putting them in control of the series. Their semifinal opponent will be determined by the outcome of the Toluca versus Los Angeles Galaxy matchup.
The Mexican side created hope for a comeback when Gabriel Fernandez successfully converted a penalty kick in the 18th minute, but Cruz Azul couldn’t build on that momentum. Their chances took a significant hit when Gonzalo Piovi received a direct red card for a dangerous challenge on Bouanga just two minutes into second-half injury time.
The pivotal penalty opportunity for LAFC came five minutes after the red card when officials called a handball violation inside Cruz Azul’s penalty area, allowing Bouanga to level the score.
LAFC’s celebration was tempered by the fact that Bouanga’s first-half yellow card will force him to miss the opening leg of their semifinal series. The forward has been instrumental in their tournament run, netting five goals across Los Angeles’ six CONCACAF Champions Cup contests.
In the evening’s second quarterfinal conclusion, Nashville SC delivered a shocking performance against Club America in Mexico City. Hany Mukhtar’s 51st-minute strike proved to be the difference-maker as Nashville claimed a 1-0 victory, advancing with a 1-0 aggregate triumph after last week’s scoreless draw in Tennessee.
The decisive sequence began with Andy Najar launching a long ball down the right flank for Nashville. Cristian Espinoza’s cross found its way between two Club America defenders, setting up Mukhtar for a right-footed finish from 10 yards that beat goalkeeper Rodolfo Cota.
Nashville, known as the Boys in Gold, will face either Tigres UANL or the Seattle Sounders in the semifinals. This marks the club’s first semifinal appearance in continental competition, having participated in the tournament for only the second time.
