VIDEO: Bale’s goal in the last minute of stoppage time helped LAFC to the MLS title

Gareth Bale wrapped up his European career this summer and embarked on a new adventure. He found refuge in the MLS in Los Angeles, where he wanted to finish his career in peace and have time to pursue his passion – golf. But he showed that he hadn’t lost much of his soccer skills either.

The Welsh striker didn’t help Los Angeles in the playoffs. As is his habit, the national team is the first place and he played 115 minutes at the September reunion, but after returning to the USA he managed only six minutes and immediately got injured.

In the quarterfinal against the Los Angeles Galaxy, his team had to do without him and won 3-2. In the semi-final with Austin, Bale was only on the bench and LAFC won 3: 0.

In the final, the former Real Madrid player also started on the bench and spent the whole match on it. But the game against Philadelphia went to extra time after a 2:2 draw. In the 97th minute, he replaced LAFC’s favourite, Carlos Vela.

And the overtime was, in a word, insane. In the 116th minute, LAFC goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau was shown a red card. Philadelphia took advantage of the power play in the 124th minute with a goal by Elliott to make it 3-2.

It looked like Bořek Dočkal’s former team had the MLS title in the bag and it would be a sweet victory thanks to a goal in the fourth minute of stoppage time. Only it wouldn’t be Gareth Bale who would be allowed to make an appearance.

He trumped his opponent’s goal to equalise in the eighth minute of stoppage time and send the game to penalties. LAFC were the luckier players in those as Philadelphia didn’t score once from three attempts. Bale and co. were able to celebrate the MLS title.

Besides Bale, other stars like Giorgio Chiellini, Cristian Tello and Carlos Vela played for LAFC. The Mexican team captain has scored 12 goals and added 14 assists this season.

Source: Twitter, LAFC