Alajuelense 1-2 Los Angeles FC (2-3 agg): Martinez the late hero in comeback win

David Martinez struck in second-half stoppage time as Los Angeles FC came back to beat Alajuelense 2-1 and seal their place in the last eight of the Champions Cup with a 3-2 aggregate victory.

The tie was level at 1-1 after the first leg in California last week, and the visitors found themselves chasing the game after just four minutes in Costa Rica on Tuesday.

Santiago van der Putten put the hosts in front with a header.

Yet Nathan Ordaz lashed home a first-time finish to put LAFC on level terms in the 51st minute.

And Martinez, on as a second-half substitute, then arrowed in a wonderful strike from range in the second minute of added time to settle the contest in LAFC’s favour.

Post-match scenes pic.twitter.com/vSPipoaOuT

— LAFC (@LAFC) March 18, 2026

LAFC will next face Cruz Azul, the reigning champions, who drew 1-1 with fellow Mexican side Monterrey to round out a 4-3 aggregate win.

Data Debrief: Delgado pulls the strings

Despite only coming on in the 63rd minute, Martinez led LAFC for shots (three), with Son Heung-min and Denis Bouanga unable to wield their usual influence on proceedings.

Such was the quality of Martinez’s winner, his strike came with an expected goals (xG) value of just 0.03. Essentially, it only had a 3% chance of finding the back of the net at the moment he took the shot on.

But special mention should go to midfielder Delgado, who orchestrated the comeback with two assists, while leading the game for chances created (three), touches (108), passes (96), accurate passes (89) and passes in the final third (46).