By Andy González
Querétaro came out on the front foot and created the first clear chance of the match inside the opening minute, testing Hugo Lloris with an early effort.
Ten minutes later, Los Gallos found the breakthrough through Alí Ávila. The Mexican forward showed the instincts of a natural goalscorer, staying alert after Lloris parried the initial effort and reacting first to the rebound. Ávila made no mistake with his header, putting Querétaro ahead.
LAFC gradually began to take control of possession after the 25-minute mark, but Querétaro continued to play with confidence and looked dangerous on the counterattack. In one quick transition, Duarte cut inside and fired from distance, forcing Lloris into a timely save.
Before halftime, LAFC came close to finding an equalizer on the break. Schaffelburg created space and unleashed a dangerous effort, but Allison was well positioned to make the save.
Lloris then kept LAFC within striking distance with a double save before the break, denying Querétaro's attempts to extend its lead.
LAFC finally found the equalizer in the 57th minute. After a dangerous move down the right, Tillman played the ball to Raposo, who delivered a low, driven cross into the box with pace and precision. Bouanga beat his marker to the delivery and redirected the ball into the back of the net from close range.
The goal gave LAFC momentum, and Bouanga nearly added another just a minute later. The forward cut inside from the left and fired toward goal, but Allison reacted quickly to keep the match level.
Heung-min Son also came close after a powerful run led to an effort from close range, but Allison once again came up with the save.
LAFC continued to push for the winner. In the 73rd minute, Tillman rose highest to meet a cross and powered a header toward goal, but his effort missed by inches.
Querétaro nearly snatched the victory in stoppage time when a dangerous cross flashed across the LAFC penalty area, but Bouanga tracked back and prevented the visitors from finding the decisive touch.
With neither side able to find a winner in regulation, the match went to a penalty shootout.
Bouanga converted LAFC's opening attempt, while Ávila answered for Querétaro. Heung-min Son, Homenchenko, Chéberko, Reyes and Hollingshead all converted from the spot before Querétaro's Parra saw his attempt crash off the crossbar.
Porteous then stepped up and converted the decisive penalty, sealing the shootout victory for LAFC and earning the Angelenos the extra point.
LAFC currently sits third with seven points from three matches and remains in position to advance to the knockout stage, with its final standing dependent on the results involving Austin FC and Chicago Fire.
REACTIONS
- LAFC Forward Denis Bouanga
- “It’s frustrating. Querétaro are a good team, very difficult to break down, but we have to keep improving and keep going. We have to play better. I think we wasted a lot of time, and it’s a little frustrating. Sadly now we have to wait for the other results.”
PLAYERS OF THE MATCH
- LAFC
- Bouanga scored his 15th goal in the competition, moving past the 14-goal mark he previously shared with Lio Messi. He could have an opportunity to extend that record if LAFC advance to the knockout stage, as Miami will not be moving on.
GAME NOTES
- With his goal against Querétaro, Denis Bouanga reached 15 Leagues Cup goals, becoming the tournament’s all-time leading scorer outright and breaking the tie at 14 goals he shared with Lionel Messi entering the match.
- Querétaro ends its 2026 Leagues Cup campaign without a victory, a significant contrast to its historic 2023 run, when it reached the Quarterfinals and advanced further than any other Liga MX club in that edition.
- LAFC finished its three Phase One matches unbeaten and earned the extra point against Querétaro after prevailing 5-3 in the penalty shootout.
CARDS/INJURY REPORT
- Yellow Cards:
- LAFC: Timothy Tillman (82'), David Martínez (84')
- Querétaro: Santiago Homenchenko (76'), Bernardo Parra (82')
LOOKING AHEAD
- LAFC faces San Diego FC next Saturday in MLS play.
- Querétaro concludes its participation in the 2026 Leagues Cup and will turn its attention back to Liga MX, where it visits Pumas on Sunday.
