Soccer <\/p>\n
LAFC<\/a> advanced to the 2026\u00a0Concacaf Champions Cup<\/a> quarterfinals in thrilling fashion on Tuesday evening, topping Costa Rican side Alajuelense 3-2 on aggregate in the Round of 16 thanks to a series-winning golazo from David Mart\u00ednez<\/a> at the death.<\/p>\n The result sets up a massive quarterfinal clash next month, with LAFC taking on LIGA MX heavyweights and defending CCC champions Cruz Azul.<\/p>\n After a 1-1 draw<\/a> at BMO Stadium in Leg 1, Alajuelense got off to a dream start inside five minutes of the series finale at Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto, taking a 2-1 aggregate lead through a rebound header from defender Santiago van der Putten.\u00a0<\/p>\n Alajuelense held that lead entering the second half, but LAFC netted an equalizer in the 51st minute via Nathan Ordaz<\/a>. The El Salvador international ran onto a feed from Mark Delgado<\/a> and lashed a first-time shot into the net.<\/p>\n That set the stage for Mart\u00ednez’s 92nd-minute winner, which he rifled home from distance to seal the Black & Gold’s 2-1 victory<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n