LAFC (Los Angeles FC), of the U.S. MLS, drew 1-1 with Mexico’s Cruz Azul on Tuesday to become the first semifinalists in the CONCACAF Champions Cup, winning the series by a 4-1 margin.
Uruguay’s Gabriel Fernández scored for the Azules, who dominated the match but lacked punch and lost the title won in 2025, under the guidance of Uruguayan coach Vicente Sánchez. Gabon’s Denis Bouanga scored for the Americans.
Cruz Azul reacts early, but fails in comeback attempt
After being thrashed by LAFC 0-3 last Tuesday in the first leg, Cruz Azul started with forward lines.
Although, unfocused, they received four cautions in the first 13 minutes.
After a foul in the box by Spaniard Sergi Palencia, in the 15th minute ‘Toro’ Fernandez converted the penalty to make it 1-0.
Thus, the Mexican team achieved its first objective: to score an early goal.
Cruz Azul insisted on attacking. In the 33rd minute, Andrés Montaño had a chance to score the second goal, but he shot wide.
Match stopped due to controversial shouting
As in the first half, Cruz Azul came out fast in the second half against an LAFC side that adopted an attacking attitude and at times took the ball away from the Celestes.
The Mexican fans, who challenged FIFA president Gianni Infantino two weeks ago with their homophobic shouting, without consequences, and repeated the harassment in recent league matches, insisted yesterday.
This led to a momentary suspension of the game for five minutes.
Recovered by the break given to them by the opposing team’s fans, the Los Angeles side pressed on at the restart.
Fails, suffers ejection and gets eliminated
The light blue team insisted on attacking, but lacked accuracy in shots by Rodolfo Rotondi and Gabriel Fernández, which were saved by French goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.
Just when Cruz Azul needed more concentration, in the 90+2 minute, Argentine Gonzalo Piovi was sent off for a naive aggression and signed his team’s elimination against LAFC.
Seconds later, Colombian Willer Ditta was fouled in the area and Bouanga converted the penalty, making it 1-1.
Frustrated, the fans repeated the homophobic shout, without consequences.
In the semifinal, Los Angeles FC will face the winner between Mexico’s Toluca and MLS’ Los Angeles Galaxy, who will decide their series today.
Gabriel Fernández scored for Cruz Azul
QuéOnnda.com
Technical data
View this post on Instagram
Cruz Azul: Kevin Mier; Erik Lira (Mateo Levy, m.82), Gonzalo Piovi, Willer Ditta; Omar Campos, Jéremy Márquez (Christian Ebere, m.76), Agustín Palavecino, Rodolfo Rotondi, Carlos Rodríguez; Andrés Montaño (José Paradela, m.68), Gabriel Fernández.
Coach: Nicolás Larcamón.
1. Los Angeles FC: Hugo Lloris; Nkosi Tafari, Ryan Porteous, Eddie Segura, Sergi Palomino; David Martinez (Jacob Shaffelburg, m.68), Mark Delgado, Mattieu Choiniere; Son Heung-Min, Denis Bouanga (Tyler Boyd, m.90+7), Timothy Tillman.
Coach: Marc Dos Santos.
Goals: 1-0, 15 minutes: Gabriel Fernández; 1-1, 90+7 minutes: Denis Bouanga.
Referee: Iván Barton, from El Salvador. Yellow cards for Gabriel Fernández, Rodolfo Rotondi, Agustín Palavecino, Carlos Rodríguez and José Paradela.
Denis Bouanga, Eddie Segura and Ryan Porteous. Gonzalo Piovi was ejected.
Incidents. Second leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup quarterfinals between Cruz Azul LAFC, held at the Cuauhtémoc Stadium in Puebla, central Mexico, at 2,135 meters above sea level.
With information from EFE
For more information, visit QuéOnnda.com
