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    Bouanga’s late equalizer sends LAFC into CONCACAF Champions Cup semis
    • April 15, 2026

    PUEBLA, Mexico — Denis Bouanga’s penalty kick in the seventh minute of second-half stoppage time gave LAFC a 1-1 draw with Cruz Azul on Tuesday night, and LAFC rolled to a 3-1 aggregate victory to advance to the CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinals.

    LAFC, which won the first leg 3-0 behind two goals from David Martinez in Los Angeles, will play the winner of the series between Toluca FC and the Galaxy.

    “I know we eliminated a great club, a great champion, and a team that gave us a lot of trouble. Qualifying was tough,” LAFC coach Marc Dos Santos said. “Now there are no favorites. Everyone who makes it to the semifinals is strong.”

    Cruz Azul gave itself a chance to rally when Gabriel Fernandez scored on a penalty kick in the 18th minute.

    However, the hosts could get no closer, and Cruz Azul ultimately was reduced to 10 players when Gonzalo Piovi was issued a straight red card for a tackle on Bouanga during the second minute of second-half stoppage time.

    Five minutes later, a handball call in the Cruz Azul 18-yard box led to the penalty kick that Bouanga converted with a right-footed shot into the bottom left corner.

    Goalkeeper Hugo Lloris finished the match with eight saves for LAFC, which is trying to reach the tournament final for the third time after losing in the title matches in 2020 and 2023. The eight saves from the 39-year-old Frenchman were the most in his 102 matches with LAFC across all competitions.

    “Today we had 31 shots, we faced a world champion goalkeeper who prevented us from having a great night,” Cruz Azul coach Nicolas Larcamon said.

    The main downside of the night for LAFC was that Bouanga received a first-half yellow card, which means he will be suspended for the first leg of the semifinal series. Bouanga has five goals through LAFC’s first six Champions Cup matches.

    Cruz Azul, a seven-time Champions Cup winner, was aiming to emulate Club América, the last team to clinch back-to-back titles in 2015 and 2016.

    ​ Orange County Register 

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