Esperance stunned the MLS outfit, eliminating them from advancing in the Club World Cup in Group D action
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LAFC lose to Esperance 1-0 in CWCMLS side eliminated from competitionTunisian side to play Chelsea for spot in knockoutsWatch every FIFA Club World Cup game free on DAZNStream nowAFPTELL ME MORE
The biggest upset of the Club World Cup so far, Tunisian side Esperance De Tunis stunned Los Angeles FC 1-0 in Group D action of the competition at Geodis Park in Nashville, Tenn., Friday evening. With the loss, LAFC's Club World Cup run will end in the group stages as they've been eliminated from contention.
Algeria international Youcef Belaili scored the winner for Esperance, finding the back of the net in the 70th minute in cheeky fashion after beating former World Champion with France, Hugo Lloris in goal.
The were granted a lifeline in the closing seconds of the match, being awarded a penalty kick in the 98th minute of the match after Esperance's Khalil Guenichi committed a foul in the box, but star forward Denis Bouanga saw his spot kick saved by goalkeeper Bechir Ben Said. Their chance to keep their tournament dreams alive was crushed in a moment as the Gabon international's low-driven shot was saved by the feet of the Tunisian goalkeeper.
The MLS side registered just one shot on target all evening, as the Tunisian outfit controlled both the tempo and flow of the match, earning a much-deserved three points.
With the result, Esperance will take on Chelsea on Matchday 3, needing a win to advance into the next round of the competition. LAFC will take on group leaders Flamengo, but will have no chance of advancing after two straight defeats in the Group Stage.
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The 2025 Club World Cup marked Tunis' fourth appearance in the tournament, with their best finish being fifth, which they achieved in both 2018 and 2019.
Getty Images SportTHE MVP
Youcef Belaili: When Esperance needed a hero, the Algerian midfielder stepped up, and now the Tunisian outfit will live to fight for a spot in the knockout round of the competition on Matchday 3 against Chelsea. He was electric all evening long, causing the MLS side issues in the final third throughout the game.
A special shoutout for Ben Said as well. His penalty save was a moment of pure heroism, and it has his club dreaming of the knockout round now.
AFPTHE BIG LOSER
Steve Cherundolo: The LAFC manager couldn't tactically adjust to get his team back into the game, with a poor 90-minute showing taking center stage. Typically known for their counter-attacking prowess, the Western Conference side could barely get into the final third despite 60 percent possession, and Cherundolo didn't have a plan to counter that. They ended the match with one shot on target, and it did not come until the 95th minute of the game.
