LAFC advanced to the Semifinals of the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup Tuesday night by drawing with Cruz Azul, 1-1, completing a 4-1 aggregate-goals victory over the defending champions at Estadio Cuauhtémoc in Puebla, Mexico.Â
Needing at least three goals to advance, Cruz Azul scored first when Gabriel Fernández gave the hosts a 1-0 lead in the 18th minute by converting a penalty kick after he drew a foul on a corner kick.
Cruz Azul held more than 70 percent possession in the match, forcing LAFC’s defending efforts, led by goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, to stand strong, with Lloris recording eight saves on the night, including critical stops against Carlos Rotondi in the 73rd minute and AgustÃn Palavecino in the 89th.
In second-half stoppage time, Cruz Azul defender Gonzalo Piovi was shown a red card after a dangerous challenge. Moments later Cruz Azul centerback Willer Ditta was called for a handball in his own penalty area. Denis Bouanga converted the ensuing penalty kick for the Black & Gold, tying the match 1-1 right before the final whistle.
Bouanga’s goal was his 15th in 20 career Champions Cup appearances. He is the top scorer in the competition over the last four years (2023-2026).
LAFC now faces the winner of the Quarterfinal matchup between Toluca (Liga MX) and Galaxy (MLS). Toluca holds a 4-2 lead on aggregate headed into in the decisive second leg, which is scheduled for Wednesday night, April 15, in Carson, Calif.
Dates and times for Champions Cup Semifinal matches will be released at a later date.
Semifinals First Legs: April 28–30, 2026Â
Semifinals Second Legs: May 5–7, 2026Â
Final:Â Saturday, May 30, 2026
- View the 2026 Champions Cup bracket
Tuesday's result places LAFC’s all-time record in Champions Cup Quarterfinals matches at 4W-1L-1D, with 14 goals scored and five goals conceded.
This is LAFC's third trip to the CCC Semifinals in four Champions Cup appearances (2020, 2023, 2025, 2026). The club has been runners-up in the tournament twice (2020, 2023).
LAFC returns to MLS action this weekend, on Sunday, April 19, when it hosts the San Jose Earthquakes at BMO Stadium at 4:00 p.m. All MLS matches are broadcast live on Apple TV. Local radio coverage is available on ESPN LA 710 AM, the ESPN LA app, KFWB La Mera Mera 980 AM (Spanish), and K-Radio 1230 AM (Korean).
