Leagues Cup: Nashville SC beat Club America after chaotic penalty shoot-out with fans invading the pitch before VAR rules keeper Luis Malagon was off his line as he made a key save

In an absolutely chaotic end to this Round of 16 game, Nashville SC won on penalties when VAR determined Club America keeper Luis Malagon was off his line.

With Nashville 2–1 down in the ninth minute of what was five minutes of stoppage time – extended due to an American converted penalty – substitute Sam Surridge scored a dramatic late equalizer to send the game to penalties.

In the sixth round of that penalty shootout, Nashville’s Jack Maher had his penalty saved in what was considered a game-winner for America.

But as fans stormed the pitch – leading to another lengthy delay – VAR determined that Malagon had jumped off his line too early and ordered the penalty retaken.

Maher converted his kick from the spot to force a seventh round of penalties. After Club America’s Jonathan dos Santos saw his shot clatter the crossbar, Daniel Lovitz converted and won the game for Nashville 6-5 on penalties.

It was an intense game for the fans in attendance – waiting until the second half for centre-back Walker Zimmerman to score a corner kick with a towering header.

Club America’s Diego Valdez returned the favor with an open play header of his own in the 78th minute.

In a deadlock at 1–1, the Club America players began to surround referee Selvin Brown after Lukas MacNaughton’s left arm touched the ball.

After a long check with the VAR, the referee gave the penalty and Julian Quinones converted to take the lead 2-1.

As time passed – and Nashville on its final strike – Hany Mukhtar chipped a ball into the box for Surridge, who calmly nodded it home to force penalties.

MINNESOTA UNITED 2-2 TOLUCA (Minnesota wins 4-2 on penalties)

Minnesota United converted all four of their penalties in a penalty shootout to defeat Liga MX side Toluca and advance to the quarterfinals.

The Loons went 2-0 up early on thanks to a volley from Joseph Rosales in the 13th minute and a determined effort from Bongokuhle Hlongwane in the 32nd minute.

But a concerted effort by Toluca forced a comeback. A thunderclap from Valber Huerta made it 2–1 in the 66th minute before the Diablos Rojos won a penalty that goalkeeper Tiago Volpi put away.

In the shootout, Huerta and Robert Morales missed the second and fourth tries for Toluca – meaning Minnesota needed only four converted punts to progress.

They play Nashville SC as a result of their win.

PHILADELPHIA UNION 1-1 NEW YORK RED BULLS (Union wins 4-3 on penalties)

Nathan Harriel’s goal in the 68th minute tied the score and two missed penalties from the rival New York Red Bulls saw the Philadelphia Union advance to the quarter-finals on Tuesday.

While playing a match postponed due to Monday’s inclement weather, the Red Bulls’ Elias Manoel opened the scoring early with a cut strike into the net.

Philadelphia tied the game thanks to Harriel’s header from a corner kick that crept past keeper Carlos Coronel.

On penalties, Lewis Morgan – who was instantly substituted from full-time and had not played since June due to injury – was saved by Union keeper Andre Blake. Morgan’s teammate, Daniel Edelman, saw his shot bounce off the bar.

Jack McGlynn’s penalty was the only Philadelphia kick not to hit the back of the net and the Union will face Queretaro in the quarter-finals.

MONTERREY 1-0 UANL TIGRES

In the Leagues Cup version of the Clasico Regiomontano played at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston, Texas, Spanish striker Sergio Canales buried a late penalty to give Monterrey the victory.

The game looked destined to go to a penalty shootout when Tigres defender Javier Aquino fouled Ali Avila in the penalty area.

After a lengthy VAR review, Canales converted the kick to take the lead. A period of pushing and sparring ensued in a game that saw eleven yellow cards and one red card for accumulation handed out.

LOS ANGELES FC 4-0 TRUE SALT LAKE

Denis Bouanga picked up a brace as Los Angeles FC easily beat Real Salt Lake 4-0 at BMO Stadium in California.

The scoring didn’t start until the 52nd minute, when Bouanga tracked down a long through ball, which then quietly slipped into the keeper’s right net.

He followed that up just two minutes later by bagging RSL defender Justen Glad in the penalty area and beating the keeper one-on-one.

Follow-up strikes from Nathan Ordaz and substitute Filip Krastev secured victory as LAFC now face Monterrey in the quarter-finals.