NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Youcef Belaili’s clinical strike in the 71st minute lifted Espérance Sportive de Tunis to a shocking 1-0 victory over Los Angeles FC on Friday at GEODIS Park, ending the MLS side’s FIFA Club World Cup hopes in stunning fashion. LAFC is out of the FIFA Club World Cup.
The Group D clash, the first-ever meeting between a Tunisian club and an MLS team, saw both sides desperate for points after 2-0 losses in their opening matches — LAFC to Chelsea and El Tunis to Flamengo. With only the top two teams advancing, the match was a must-win for both.
El Tunis saved a penalty in the 99th minute awarded to Los Angeles, with the final whistle blowing in the distance.
It’s all over in Nashville!
El Tunis, nicknamed the Mkachkha, controlled the tempo early, holding 31% possession but creating dangerous chances. Belaili, the Algerian winger, tested LAFC goalkeeper Hugo Lloris with a low shot in the opening minutes, forcing a diving save. LAFC responded with pressure, as Denis Bouanga’s pace troubled the Tunisian defense, but a potential goal by Olivier Giroud was disallowed for offside in the first half.
The match remained scoreless at halftime, with both teams trading chances in a tightly contested affair. LAFC’s David Martínez and Bouanga fired shots on target, but El Tunis goalkeeper Bechir Ben Saïd stood firm. The Tunisian side’s compact 4-2-3-1 formation frustrated LAFC’s attack, limiting their clear opportunities.
The decisive moment came late in the second half. A loose ball in the box fell to Belaili, who drilled a low shot into the center of the net, sparking wild celebrations among the Tunisian supporters. LAFC pushed for an equalizer, but Ben Saïd’s heroics and a disciplined El Tunis defense held firm.
LAFC, despite a nine-game unbeaten streak before the tournament, now faces elimination. “We gave everything, but one mistake cost us,” coach Steve Cherundolo said.
El Tunis will face Chelsea on June 24, while LAFC takes on Flamengo, though the Black and Gold’s World Cup dreams are all but over. The match, played before a sparse Nashville crowd, underscored El Tunis’ counter-attacking prowess and marked a historic upset in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.
The FIFA Club World Cup is in full swing!
In the meantime, check out our 2025 SEC Football quarterback rankings!
LAFC Stunned By Es Tunis in FIFA Club World Cup