Always the flair for the dramatic. With everything on the line, hope dwindling, chances slimmer than ever, bottom of the ninth and all other cliches that let you feel the weight of sport at its peak, LAFC did what they so often do. They keep hope alive with a massive win, and of course it had to be, at home. This time Tigres were the victims, as third time was indeed the charm for Los Angeles. While goal differential will still be something to watch for, the biggest key to advancing was achieved, an outright win to give the squad all three points in their final Leagues Cup match of phase one.
¡Victoria! pic.twitter.com/SE6O8qYe5d
— LAFC (@LAFC) August 6, 2025
In our preview leading up to the match we talked about how important it would be for someone like David Martinez to step up with Ordaz out with a red card and everyone knowing Bouanga would be the focal point. To the surprise of everyone, Bouanga wasn’t even in the 18 for the match, and it was truly up to the youngster to pull off some magic. He did just that. Tigres kept a whopping 70% possession in the first half, with 10 shots and making 322 passes on a 92% success rate. They were dominant in that first half with the ball, but as we say plenty of times, possession is great, if you can do something with it. Only two of Tigres shots found their target in the first half, and none of them found the back of the net. However, LAFC, with their four shots and two targets, did the most important thing a team in this sport can do, score. Bouanga wasn’t on the pitch but his energy must have been, as LAFC were awarded a penalty in the 37th minute of the match. David Martinez was the one who chose to step to the spot and take on the massive moment I the first 45, and as smooth and calm as you’d like, he smashed it home for the lead.
LA JOYA 💎🇻🇪 pic.twitter.com/zCzRPKmHzM
— LAFC (@LAFC) August 6, 2025
Of course, as we all knew, it wouldn’t be as simple as that especially against a team like Tigres who are no strangers to tough spots. Just three minutes into the second half, LAFC’s trouble with set piece defending bit them again and at the worst time. With a free kick a few yards outside the box, the ball was sent perfectly to Ivan Lopez who was right in the middle of the box, defender at his back, as he put on a fierce headed effort that got past Thomas Hasal for the equalizer.
¡ROAR! 🐯⚽️ ‘Gacelo’ López empata el partido para @TigresOficial con tremendo header with just three minutes on the field!#LeaguesCup2025 pic.twitter.com/AFCtUCJRio
— Leagues Cup (@LeaguesCup) August 6, 2025
In the 64th minute, Martinez once again stepped up to the big stage where the lights were brightest and put on a show. While not blazing with speed, he was fast enough to get on the end of a great pass that set him loose down the side of the pitch. He was fast enough to keep the trailing defenders at his back, and strong enough to keep on his feet while fighting them off. He was also clinical enough at the end, when he slotted the ball past the Tigres keeper and into the back of the net for the lead, and eventual winning goal.
Que Joya de Gol 😍 pic.twitter.com/PGuEVueEfh
— LAFC (@LAFC) August 6, 2025
On the night, Martinez ended up being the one the team could lean on. Ended up being the hero they needed most. The win not only secured a full three points but put LAFC in that fourth and final spot to advance to the next round. The only problem, now they must play the waiting game as other teams get their final games of phase one played. Still, going into the night with little to no hope, and coming away with even more of a chance than before, is a win in itself. Teams 5-10 all have a third game to play in the coming days, and all could jump LAFC with wins of their own, but they could also all falter and leave Los Angeles sneaking into the next round on the last day. This is what tournaments like this are all about, the magic of a massive win at home, and the anxiety of waiting to see if it was all worth it.
Thoughts on the win over Tigres? Leave a comment below!