Jun 20, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; LAFC forward Denis Bouanga (99) and Esperance Sportive De Tunisie defender Yassine Meriah (5) battle for the ball in the second half during a group stage match of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at GEODIS Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images Youcef Belaili scored in the 70th minute, goalkeeper Ben Said saved a penalty deep in second-half stoppage time and ES Tunis defeated LAFC 1-0 to keep their FIFA Club World Cup hopes alive in a dramatic contest Friday in Nashville, Tenn.
The victory takes ES Tunis (1-1-0, 3 points) level with Chelsea in Group D, after the English side lost 3-1 to Brazil’s Flamengo earlier on Friday.
Referee Espen Eskas awarded a very late spot kick following a video review, ruling Khalil Guenichi had felled Marlon in the area.
But Denis Bouanga drove his ensuing penalty kick into the dive of Said, the final salvo in a result that eliminated LAFC (0-2-0, 0 points) from tournament contention.
The winner of ES Tunis’ meeting with Chelsea Tuesday in Philadelphia will move on to the knockout phase, with Chelsea advancing on a draw based on superior goal differential.
–Field Level Media
