LAFC Edges Querétaro in Thrilling Leagues Cup Shootout: Match Recap, Key Takeaways & Quarterfinal Scenarios

LAFC secured 2 crucial points with a 5-3 penalty shootout victory over Liga MX’s Querétaro following a 1-1 draw in Leagues Cup 2026. Here's the full match report, tactical analysis and group stage scenario for the Black & Gold.

Labels / Tags: LAFC, Querétaro FC, Leagues Cup 2026, MLS, Liga MX, Denis Bouanga, Son Heung-min, Hugo Lloris, Match Recap, Soccer News

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LAFC Edges Querétaro in Thrilling Leagues Cup Shootout: Match Recap, Key Takeaways & Quarterfinal Scenarios

LOS ANGELES - Los Angeles FC (LAFC) drew 1-1 with Liga MX’s Querétaro F.C. on Wednesday night at BMO Stadium to record their 2nd consecutive win in Leagues Cup 2026. The Black & Gold drew first in the 12th minute before equalizing late in the second half. The draw provided two crucial points for LAFC who are now undefeated in group stage play, while Querétaro was left to settle for a point in their first ever visit to Los Angeles.

Here is a full match recap from BMO Stadium, beginning with an early goal from visiting club Querétaro, before LAFC respond with a dramatic equalizer and win the thrilling penalty shootout 5-3 to advance to the Leagues Cup quarterfinals.

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1. First Half: Querétaro Shades LAFC, Takes Early Lead

Querétaro came out of the gates firing on all cylinders. The visitors did not sit back as expected in the early going, but rather pushed up and tested the LAFC defense.

Their persistence in the attacking third paid off in spectacular fashion in the 12th minute. First, Querétaro’s Bayron Duarte fired a stunning shot from distance that was initially saved by the in-form French World Cup winner Hugo Lloris.

However, the ball bounced up and landed perfectly in the box where Ali Avila Vega drew level with his marker and powered the ball into the back of the net to give visiting Gallos Blancos the 1-0 lead.

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2. Second Half: Denis Bouanga Fires LAFC Equalizer

Back on level terms, LAFC returned to the pitch with a new intensity for the second half. The Black & Gold’s pressure in the attacking third began to pay off in the 57th minute in spectacular fashion:

LAFC Equalizer Highlights

1. Forward Timothy Tillman drove forward and drew level with the Querétaro defense, before cutting the ball back to right back Ryan Raposo

2. Raposo fires a curling cross into the box that just evades the grasp of Querétaro’s Allison

3. Denis Bouanga draws level with his marker at the near post to score the equalizer and record his 15th career Leagues Cup goal!

> ⚽ Historic Performance: Bouanga scored the equalizer in the 57th minute, marking his 15th career Leagues Cup goal, and becoming the league’s all-time leading scorer.

While LAFC continued to press and create excellent chances late in the game, including a spectacular effort from the legendary South Korean striker Son Heung-min as well as a close-range header from center back Nkosi Tafari, the efforts were all thwarted by Allison’s excellent play to keep the score deadlocked at 1-1 through 90 minutes.

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3. Penalty Shootout: LAFC Ice-Cold from Twelve-Yards!

As per Leagues Cup regulations, the match was to be decided by a post-match penalty shootout. LAFC showed tremendous composure from twelve yards out, converting all five of their penalties to record a 5-3 shootout win in the decisive tie.

Summary of Shootout

1st Round

LAFC: Denis Bouanga scored with his right foot (1-0)

Querétaro: Ali Avila Vega drew level with his left (1-1)

2nd Round

LAFC: Forward Son Heung-mi placed the ball in the bottom-right corner (2-1)

Querétaro: Santiago Homenchenko sent the ball to the side netting (2-2)

3rd Round

LAFC: Forward Yevhen Cheberko blasted a stunning shot high into the net (3-2)

Querétaro: Diego Reyes scored comfortably for the visitors (3-3)

4th Round

LAFC: Defender Ryan Hollingshead drew first blood in the sudden death round, beating the keeper to center (4-3)

Querétaro: Left back Daniel Parra sent a curling shot to the far post, but the ball rattled the crossbar and bounced out! (4-3)

5th Round

LAFC: Defender Ryan Porteous stepped up to ice-cold moment and sent the ball into the back of the net to ice the 5-3 shootout win!

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4. Match Stats / Players of Note

Player / Aspect Team Performance

Denis Bouanga (LAFC): Scored 1-1 equalizer (15th career Leagues Cup goal); Converted first penalty in shootout

Son Heung-min (LAFC): Started as forward, Played full 90 minutes; Created 3 clear chances; Converted second penalty in shootout

Ryan Raposo (LAFC): Assisted Denis Bouanga’s equalizer; Provided width down the right channel

Guillermo Allison (Querétaro): Made 6 huge saves in regulation to keep Gallos Blancos in match

Ali Avila Vega (Querétaro): Scored 12th minute opener; Converted penalty in shootout

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5. Leagues Cup Standings & Quarterfinal Scenarios

The Leagues Cup utilizes a different point system for the 36 teams (18 MLS + 18 Liga MX):

3 Points: Win by score in 90 minutes

2 Points: Win by penalties

1 Point: Loss by penalties

0 Points: Loss by score in 90 minutes

MLS Table – Top Clubs in Phase One Group Stage

Rank Club Played Wins Shootout Wins Shootout Losses Losses Points Standing

1 Real Salt Lake 3 2 0 1 0 7 Strong Contender

2 LAFC 3 1 2 0 0 7 Awaiting Results

3 Chicago Fire 2 2 0 0 0 6 One Match Remaining

4 Austin FC 2 2 0 0 0 6 One Match Remaining

With 7 points (1 win vs Toluca + 2 penalty shootout wins vs Chivas & Querétaro), LAFC find themselves right in contention for the top four MLS clubs to advance to the quarterfinals. With two MLS teams tying on points for third with 6 points apiece (Chicago Fire & Austin FC) and only one match remaining for both clubs, LAFC will have to watch the Thursday night results to see if they secure a place in the knockout rounds.

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6. What’s Next for LAFC & Querétaro?

LAFC: The Black & Gold look to continue their strong form from Leagues Cup when they return to MLS regular season play on Saturday, August 15, 2026 when they host local rivals San Diego FC at BMO Stadium (7:30pm PT)

Querétaro: With only a point to show for their efforts in Los Angeles, the visitors return to Mexico to prepare for the resumption of the Liga MX Apertura season.