Martínez stunner seals LAFC comeback at LD Alajuelense in Champions Cup | OneFootball

ALAJUELA, Costa Rica – The 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup continued with Los Angeles FC defeating LD Alajuelense, 2-1, in the Second Leg of their Round of 16 series, with the former winning 3-2 on aggregate, on Tuesday at Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto in Alajuela, Costa Rica. 

Santiago van der Putten found the opener for the hosts off a corner kick in the 4’, pouncing on a rebound to strike from close range following an initial save by LAFC goalkeeper Hugo Lloris. 

Nathan Ordaz leveled the score on aggregate with a left-footed finish from the center of the box in the 51’. Mark Delgado delivered the assist after a key recovery to capitalize on a short clearance from the Alajuelense backline.

Second half substitute David Martínez sealed the comeback and the series for the MLS side in the 90’+2’, unleashing a rocket to the top right corner from long-range. Delgado registered his second assist of the night in the build-up.

Los Angeles FC advances to the Quarterfinals, where it will face either defending champion Cruz Azul or five-time winners CF Monterrey.

Post– Match Data 

• LAFC have reached at least the Quarterfinals in each of their six appearances in the Concacaf Champions Cup. Additionally, they have advanced at least two rounds in every participation in the competition.

• David Martínez’s goal at 91:29 is the latest game-winning goal in LAFC history in the Concacaf Champions Cup. Of their previous four goals in stoppage time, three did not change the match result (one was an equalizer).

• LD Alajuelense led for 52 minutes against LAFC, their third-longest time in the lead in a Concacaf Champions Cup match since 2021. Their longest stretch also came against LAFC, with 92 minutes in 2023.

• LAFC have scored in nine consecutive away matches in the Concacaf Champions Cup, tying the longest such streak by an MLS club in the modern era (since 2008), alongside D.C. United (2009–2015).

• Nathan Ordaz (LAFC) scored his third Concacaf Champions Cup goal. Two of those have been assisted by Mark Delgado: tonight, and against Inter Miami CF in 2025.

• At 21 years and 265 days, Santiago van der Putten (LD Alajuelense) became the youngest Costa Rican defender to score in the Concacaf Champions Cup since the 2016-17 season.