Lyon built a 2-1 aggregate advantage in the second leg after Wednesday’s win in Mexico, then increased their advantage in the 20th minute when striker Lucas Di Iorio pushed a crucial move down the left side of LAFC’s backline.
LAFC had a golden opportunity to land the first punch through Dénis Bouanga, but the striker latched onto a Diego Palacios cross in the second minute, unable to build up his late first-round shot.
Half chances became the theme of LAFC night, as Carlos Villa, Aaron Long and Bouanga threatened Lyon goalkeeper Rodolfo Cota. A flurry of second-half substitutes injected energy into the Black and Gold attack, but the visiting Mexico international’s keeper was never seriously threatened.
The end result was Lyon celebrating their first ever CCL title, denying the defending champions, MLS Cup and Supporters’ Shield champions a trophy win on home soil. Now, Lyon has bragging rights, prize money and places in two upcoming FIFA Club World Cups (2023 and 2025).
LAFC hoped to keep the CCL logo in the MLS stadium after the Seattle Sounders club achieved a historic feat in 2022. However, the wave of Liga MX dominance is back.
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