FIFA Club World Cup: Ben Saïd saves crucial penalty, Belaïli goal wins it for Espérance

Espérance Sportive de Tunis remain in contention at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup after goalkeeper Bechir Ben Saïd made a massive penalty kick save on Friday to preserve a 1-0 victory over Los Angeles FC at Geodis Park in Nashville, Tennessee. Youcef Belaïli’s second half goal stood as the winner thanks to the heroics of the Tunisia national team goalkeeper.

The match never really took flight until the second half for observers in Nashville. However, that suited the a defensive Espérance side just fine and the Tunisian giants were far more dangerous at the start with Belaïli’s early effort saved by LAFC goalkeeper Hugo Lloris before striker Rodrigo Rodrigues hit the post with a bouncing shot.

Espérance easily neutralized a one-dimensional LAFC attack that featured Gabonese star Denis Bouanga and 2018 FIFA World Cup winner Olivier Giroud, who looked well past his prime. But after the strong start, the match settled down and never picked up for the remainder of the first half.

Throughout it was the Tunisian giants who looked more dangerous and Belaïli appeared to draw a penalty early in the second half. However, VAR determined that the Algerian forward dived and he was issued a yellow card.

But Belaïli got another chance and did not make a mistake in the 71st minute. Left back Mohamed Ben Hamida embarked on a brilliant run and surged into the box. The ball was tackled away and came right to Belaïli, who cut inside and fired a low shot past Lloris.

The Blood and Gold had numerous opportunities to put the match away but substitute Yan Sasse and Belaïli squandered a handful of chances, with Belaïli failing to convert after being all alone 1-v-1 against Lloris before Khalil Guenichi’s shot was headed off the crossbar.

Those missed opportunities could have come back to bite EST when a foul in their penalty area led to a penalty kick but Bouanga’s spot kick was kicked away by Ben Saïd in a dramatic conclusion.

Despite the victory, Espérance will still need to defeat English Premier League side Chelsea FC to reach the knockout stages when the teams meet for their final Group D game in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on Tuesday. LAFC, now eliminated, will face Brazilian group leaders Flamengo.

• The top two teams at the end of the group qualify for the Round of 16.