LAFC book place in Chelsea's group at Club World Cup
Los Angeles FC booked a place in Chelsea's group at this summer's Fifa Club World Cup after coming from behind to beat Club America in a play-off. Gabon international Denis Bouanga drilled home the winner five minutes from the end of extra time after the match, being played at LAFC's BMO Stadium, had finished 1-1. The one-off game was played after the Court of Arbitration for Sport upheld Fifa's decision to expel Mexican side Club Leon from the new extended 32-team tournament, which will be played in the United States from 15 June to 13 July. Fifa determined in March that Club Leon did not meet tournament regulations on multi-club ownership. They had qualified for the Club World Cup after beating LAFC in the 2023 Concacaf Champions League final, while Club America were the highest-ranked team behind Club Leon in confederation ranking who did not qualify for the competition.Club America took the lead in the play-off through a 64th minute penalty by former LAFC player Brian Rodriguez after Mark Delgado had fouled Erick Sanchez.Brazilian Igor Jesus headed home an 89th-minute equaliser, his first LAFC goal, to take the game into extra time. Former Chelsea and Arsenal forward Oliver Giroud provided the spark for LAFC after being introduced off the bench in the 74th minute.The 38-year-old, a World Cup winner with France, set up Bouanga's winner as the play-off looked to be heading for a penalty shootout.LAFC, who also include former Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris in their ranks, will face Chelsea in their opening Group D fixture in Atalanta on 16 June, before further matches against Brazilian side Flamengo and Esperance Sportive de Tunis.
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