LAFC Advances After Penalty Shootout Victory Over Querétaro
LOS ANGELES — LAFC kept its Leagues Cup hopes alive Wednesday night, battling back from an early deficit before defeating Liga MX side Querétaro 5-3 in a penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw at BMO Stadium.
With advancement implications on the line, both clubs entered the match knowing that every point could prove critical in the race for a place in the knockout rounds. Querétaro struck first and immediately put pressure on the home side, taking a 1-0 lead in the opening stages of the match.
Despite falling behind, LAFC responded with confidence and gradually began controlling possession. Denis Bouanga, Son Heung-min and the rest of the Black & Gold attack consistently pushed forward, creating opportunities while forcing Querétaro deeper into its own half.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the second half when Bouanga found the back of the net to level the match at 1-1. The goal continued the Gabon international’s outstanding Leagues Cup career and provided the spark LAFC needed as the club searched for a winner.
For the remainder of regulation, LAFC applied heavy pressure in search of a decisive goal. Multiple chances came and went, but Querétaro goalkeeper Guillermo Allison delivered several important saves to keep the match level and force a penalty shootout.
The shootout remained tight through the opening rounds, with both teams converting their attempts. LAFC ultimately held its nerve under pressure, converting five penalties while limiting Querétaro to three successful attempts. Defender Ryan Porteous buried the decisive kick, sending the BMO Stadium crowd into celebration.
Although LAFC would have preferred to secure all three points in regulation, the additional point earned through the shootout victory proved valuable in the tournament standings. The result capped a strong Phase One campaign that also included a dramatic win over Toluca and a shootout victory against Chivas.
Defensively, LAFC once again showed resilience throughout the night. Hugo Lloris provided leadership from the back, while the defensive unit remained organized after conceding early. The club’s ability to respond to adversity has become a recurring theme throughout its Leagues Cup run.
Bouanga’s equalizer, combined with another composed performance from the squad, demonstrated why LAFC remains one of the most dangerous teams in the competition. With momentum continuing to build, the Black & Gold left the field knowing they had done everything possible to strengthen their position heading into the knockout stage.
For LAFC, the result was another example of the club’s ability to perform in high-pressure situations. Whether through dramatic late goals, defensive discipline or penalty shootout composure, the Black & Gold once again found a way to deliver when it mattered most.
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