Los Angeles FC (LAFC) triumphed over Querétaro in a thrilling penalty shootout, winning 5-3 after a 1-1 draw in regulation during the 2026 Leagues Cup at BMO Stadium on August 12, 2026.
Why it matters: This victory propels LAFC into the quarterfinals of the Leagues Cup, a tournament that pits teams from Major League Soccer (MLS) against Liga MX clubs. The win also extends LAFC's unbeaten streak to eight matches across all competitions.
LAFC needed a win to secure their place in the quarterfinals, having entered the match in 8th place with five points.
The team had previously drawn 1-1 with Chivas de Guadalajara and defeated Toluca 1-0, making the Querétaro match a must-win.
Querétaro, already eliminated from the tournament, had lost both of their previous matches without scoring a goal.
Driving the news: The match kicked off at 10:30 PM ET, and LAFC quickly found themselves in a challenging position when Querétaro's Alí Ávila scored in the 11th minute. LAFC responded with a goal from Denis Bouanga in the 56th minute, leveling the score.
In the penalty shootout, LAFC converted all five of their attempts, with key contributions from Bouanga, Son Heung-Min, Yevhen Cheberko, Ryan Hollingshead, and Ryan Porteous.
Querétaro's Daniel Parra missed his penalty, hitting the bar during the shootout, which proved decisive in the outcome.
The match concluded with LAFC winning 5-3 on penalties after a tense 96 minutes of play.
State of play: LAFC's strong performance in the tournament has been marked by a solid defense and an effective attack, featuring stars like Bouanga and Heung-Min. Their unbeaten run reflects their current form, with six wins and two draws in their last eight matches.
LAFC's head coach Marc Dos Santos emphasized the importance of goal differential as a tiebreaker, motivating the team to push for a larger margin of victory whenever possible.
Querétaro struggled in the Leagues Cup, failing to score in their first two matches, losing 2-0 to FC Dallas and 3-0 to Seattle Sounders.
LAFC's home advantage at BMO Stadium has historically made it difficult for visiting teams to secure points.
The big picture: The Leagues Cup format allows for no draws; teams must go straight to penalties if tied after 90 minutes, which adds an extra layer of pressure to each match.
LAFC's victory secures their advancement and boosts their confidence as they prepare for the knockout rounds.
Querétaro's elimination highlights the challenges faced by Liga MX teams in this year's tournament, contrasting sharply with LAFC's success.
With this win, LAFC continues to position itself as a contender in both the Leagues Cup and the MLS season.
What they're saying: Post-match comments from players and coaches underscored the significance of the victory for LAFC.
"We knew we had to win to advance, and the team showed great character to come back and win the shootout," Bouanga said.
Dos Santos praised his team's resilience, stating, "Every player stepped up when it mattered most, and we are excited to move forward in the tournament."
Querétaro's coach Esteban Gonzalez acknowledged the difficulties faced by his team, noting, "We fought hard but couldn’t find our rhythm in this tournament."
By the numbers: Key statistics from the match and tournament performance highlight LAFC's dominance.
LAFC has now won four of their last five matches, including two consecutive victories in the Leagues Cup.
The team has scored a total of three goals in the tournament, with Bouanga contributing significantly to their offensive efforts.
Querétaro remains at the bottom of the standings, having failed to earn a point or score a goal in the Leagues Cup.
What's next: With this victory, LAFC will look ahead to the quarterfinals of the Leagues Cup.
The next round of matches will determine their opponent as they aim to continue their strong form.
Fans can catch all the action as LAFC prepares for the knockout stage, streaming live on Apple TV.
LAFC's next match is expected to be a challenge as they face tougher competition in the quarterfinals.