Los Angeles Football Club defeated Chivas de Guadalajara in a penalty shootout Wednesday to open its 2026 Leagues Cup campaign [1].
The victory marks a critical early step for LAFC in the tournament's round-robin phase, where MLS and Liga MX clubs compete for dominance in North America [1, 3].
The match, held at LAFC's home stadium in Los Angeles, ended in a 1-1 tie after regulation play [1, 2]. Because the tournament format requires a winner to determine the match outcome, the contest proceeded to a shootout to decide the result [1].
LAFC won the shootout 5-4 [1]. The contest extended through six rounds of penalties before a winner was decided [1]. Jude Terry, who is 17 years old, scored the game-winning penalty to secure the victory for the home side [1].
Denis Bouanga played a pivotal role in the win, converting the opening penalty of the shootout [3]. With his performance in the match, Bouanga has now reached 14 goals in his Leagues Cup career [3]. This total puts him in a tie with Lionel Messi for the most goals in the history of the competition [3].
The match served as a high-profile clash between two of the most supported clubs in the region. LAFC's ability to maintain composure during the extended shootout provided a tactical advantage over the Guadalajara-based side [1, 2].
“LAFC won the shootout 5-4”
This result provides LAFC with early momentum in the 2026 Leagues Cup and highlights the rising impact of young talent like Jude Terry. Furthermore, Denis Bouanga tying Lionel Messi's goal-scoring record underscores the shift in the tournament's competitive landscape as MLS stars reach statistical parity with global icons.
