Youcef Belaili scores in Esperance’s 1-0 victory over LAFC in the Club World Cup

By Canadian Press on June 20, 2025.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Yousef Belaili scored in the 70th minute and Esperance de Tunisie beat LAFC 1-0 on Friday night in the Club World Cup to remain in contention to advance and eliminate the California MLS team.

LAFC had one final chance to tie it in the 99th minute on Dénis Bouanaga’s right-footed shot off a penalty kick just in front, but goalkeeper Béchir Ben Säid smothered it.

Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban were in the crowd of 13,651 at 30,000-seat GEODIS Park on a steamy late afternoon.

Key moment

After a back-and-forth pace, Belaili came through with a right-footed shot from the left side of the box to the bottom left corner through goalkeeper Hugo Lloris’ legs.

Takeaways

Esperance will finish the round Tuesday night against Chelsea, with second place in Group D and a spot in the round of 16 on the line.

Not only was LAFC eliminated, it has been shot out in both of its matches. LAFC had two goals wiped out by offsides in the first half.

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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Jordan Smitherman, The Associated Press

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