By Sachit Subba • Football • Jun 21, 2025 03:21 AM • 41 views
In a night thick with tension and controversy, LAFC's FIFA Club World Cup dreams came to a crushing halt in Nashville, as a 1-0 defeat to Tunisian powerhouse ES Tunis sealed their group-stage exit. GEODIS Park was alive with drama from start to finish, but it was the North African giants who delivered when it mattered most—courtesy of a sublime second-half strike from Youcef Belaïli and a dramatic last-gasp penalty save by Bechir Ben Saïd.
VAR Chaos and Missed Chances
LAFC, bolstered by the marquee presence of Olivier Giroud and the exciting David MartĂnez, thought they had taken early control of the match. Giroud's deft finish in the 12th minute and MartĂnez's composed strike shortly after both sparked roars from the travelling support—only for both to be ruled out for marginal offsides after VAR reviews.
Moments later, ES Tunis believed they had their own lifeline. Belaïli, a constant threat on the flanks, went down in the box under pressure. Referee Espen Eskås initially pointed to the spot, but a second look on the pitchside monitor told a different story. Simulation, not contact, was the verdict—earning Belaïli a yellow card and setting the stage for rising tensions.
BelaĂŻli Turns Hero
Vindication came for the Algerian winger just past the hour mark. Picking up a loose ball at the edge of the box, Belaïli weaved past one defender and rifled a low shot past LAFC keeper Hugo Lloris—a clinical finish that sparked celebrations in gold and red and left LAFC needing a desperate response.
The Final Twist
That response nearly arrived at the death. Deep into stoppage time, Marlon was hauled down in the area, and this time, the referee did not hesitate—penalty to LAFC. With the weight of the club's tournament hopes on his shoulders, Denis Bouanga stepped up. But on this night, it belonged to ES Tunis. Ben Saïd, standing tall under immense pressure, dove low to his left to parry away Bouanga's strike, triggering jubilation among the Tunisian players and heartbreak for the Black and Gold.
A Statement Win for Africa
For ES Tunis, the result is more than just three points. It marks their first win of the tournament and a signature moment for African football, toppling the reigning MLS Cup champions on American soil with composure, grit, and no shortage of drama. As for LAFC, the exit is a bitter pill. A squad boasting international stars and championship pedigree ultimately fell short—not for a lack of ambition, but a lack of execution when it mattered most.
What's Next?
LAFC head home bruised and out of contention, forced to reflect on missed opportunities and razor-thin margins. ES Tunis now eye their final group match with renewed belief, knowing a result could secure their place in the knockout rounds—and that, on a stormy Nashville night, they earned the right to dream bigger.
