- LAFC and Club America faced each other in a play-off on Saturday night
- Chelsea now know who they will be facing at the Club World Cup this month
- Watch Every Club World Cup Match Live on DAZN. Sign Up Now
Chelsea will face LAFC in the Club World Cup later this month after the MLS side booked their place at the newly-expanded competition in dramatic fashion on Saturday night.
The Blues already knew that they had been placed in Group D alongside Brazilian outfit Flamengo and Tunisian team Esperance Sportive de Tunis, and they had originally been due to play Mexico’s Club Leon.
However, Club Leon were ruled out earlier this year due to the tournament’s multi-ownership rules, meaning another club was given the chance to qualify in their place.
It all came down to a play-off between LAFC and Club America on Saturday, and it appeared that the latter were going to book their spot at the Club World Cup when they took the lead in the 64th minute through a penalty from Brian Rodriguez.
However, LAFC hit back in the 89th minute as Igor Jesus equalised to take the game to extra time, and Denis Bouanga completed the comeback by scoring the winning goal in the 115th minute.
Reacting to the victory, LAFC’s Bouanga said: ‘It’s simply one of the best moments of my career. I love this team, and I love this game.’
Denis Bouanga (pictured) scored a late winner to send LAFC to the Club World Cup
LAFC take the place of Club Leon after the Mexican sides were kicked out of the competition
Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea will face LAFC in their first match at the Club World Cup this month
He added: ‘It’s a great achievement and the opportunity of a lifetime. It really opens up some doors for our club.’
LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo, who is due to leave the club at the end of the season, was full of praise for his team as he said: ‘It’s kind of a culmination of three-and-a-half years of hard work and dedication that just explodes in that moment.’
LAFC will be Chelsea’s first opponents at the tournament in the US, with the two sides scheduled to play each other on June 16.
Four days later, Enzo Maresca’s men will take on Flamengo, before finishing their group campaign by facing Esperance Sportive de Tunis on June 25.
The top two teams from the group will qualify for the knockout stages of the competition.
Chelsea will be looking to add more silverware to their collection after winning the Conference League earlier this week following a 4-1 victory over Real Betis in the final.
They won the Club World Cup back in 2022 after triumphing in the Champions League the previous year.
However, this year’s tournament promises to be a tougher challenge due to 32 teams now competing, including Real Madrid, Manchester City and Champions League winners PSG.
