The magic of tournament football lies in its unpredictability—and at Geodis Park, ES Tunis proved just how thrilling that unpredictability can be. In a clash loaded with pressure and intensity, the Tunisian side pulled off a shocker, defeating Major League Soccer powerhouse Los Angeles FC, 1-0, in a game that had everything: drama, near misses, heroic defense, and a storybook ending.
📍 A Night to Remember at Geodis Park
For the first time ever, the FIFA Club World Cup touched down at Nashville’s Geodis Park, and the 13,651 fans in attendance witnessed a night they won’t soon forget. The energy was high from the opening whistle, with both teams fighting for survival in Group D. LAFC and ES Tunis were each coming off opening-game losses, which meant this matchup wasn’t just a regular group stage fixture—it was do or die.
Both teams knew the stakes: win and stay alive, or pack up and go home.
🔥 Here’s What Made the Night So Wild
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One Goal. One Moment. One Hero.
The only goal of the match came in the 70th minute and it was a moment of chaos and clarity all at once. Amine Ben Hamida took a strike from the top-left corner of the box. LAFC’s defense managed to get a touch, but it wasn’t enough. The ball spilled loose in the 6-yard box—and waiting with nerves of steel was Youcef Belaïli. With a quick strike, he put ES Tunis up 1-0, and the underdogs had their moment. -
A Last-Gasp Penalty Save That Froze Time
If that goal lit the stadium up, what happened in the 98th minute absolutely electrified it. Down a goal and running out of time, LAFC’s Igor Jesus was fouled in the box—penalty awarded. A golden chance to equalize and keep Club World Cup hopes alive. Star forward Denis Bouanga stepped up to the spot, facing off with goalkeeper Moez Ben Said. Bouanga shot straight down the middle—but Ben Said was ready. He didn’t flinch, didn’t guess—he read it cold and made the save of the tournament.“Thank God we were playing with all we had,” Ben Said said postgame. “We had a great performance in this match.”
⚽️ What Went Wrong for LAFC?
For the Black and Gold, it wasn’t just about the missed penalty. The frustration began early. LAFC found the back of the net twice in the first half—both goals called back for offsides. Razor-thin margins, but in high-stakes football, that’s the difference between glory and heartbreak.
“We lacked precision when it mattered most,” LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo admitted after the game. “The disappointment is written on our players' faces—possibly mine as well.”
Cherundolo also gave credit where it was due: “To be fair, they had a few more chances in the second half, so maybe they deserved to win because of that. But when you miss a penalty at the death, it’s always hard to accept.”
📊 Group D: The Bigger Picture
Heading into this crucial Group D match, both LAFC and ES Tunis were looking to bounce back. Each had dropped their opening matches:
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LAFC: Lost 2-0 to Chelsea on June 16 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
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ES Tunis: Defeated 2-0 by Flamengo at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.
With Flamengo already clinching two wins and sitting pretty at six points, and Chelsea at three, this matchup was essentially a fight for a lifeline. The win propels ES Tunis level on points with Chelsea and keeps their hopes alive going into the final group fixtures. For LAFC, it’s a devastating blow, and their Club World Cup dreams are hanging by a thread—if not already snapped.
💡 Key Takeaways From the Showdown
Let’s break down what we just witnessed:
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ES Tunis Showed Heart and Hunger
Coming into the game, few gave the Tunisian giants a real chance. But they outworked and outlasted LAFC in a performance built on hustle, grit, and belief. They were physical, disciplined, and refused to fold—even when LAFC dialed up the pressure late. -
Ben Said Was Unshakable
His calm command of the box and that stunning penalty stop sealed the win. It’s the kind of save that defines tournaments—and careers. -
LAFC Needs More Consistency in Big Moments
Despite having the better possession and looking more dangerous on paper, LAFC failed to convert where it mattered. Two offside goals and a missed penalty is a cruel way to lose, but football is unforgiving. -
Youcef Belaïli’s Experience Shone Through
The Algerian international is no stranger to big stages, and his awareness in the box made all the difference. When the chance fell to him, he didn’t blink.
🎙️ What the Coaches Had to Say
After the final whistle, the emotions on both benches told the story. ES Tunis celebrated like they had just won the tournament—because for them, this win might just be that big.
“We came here to prove something,” said ES Tunis coach Nabil Maâloul. “People doubted us after the Flamengo loss, but this is a team with a proud history, and we’re not done yet.”
LAFC’s Cherundolo, meanwhile, was left to pick up the pieces. “We had the game in our hands,” he sighed. “But games are won by execution, not potential.”
🏟️ The Geodis Park Experience
Let’s also not forget the setting. Nashville, Tennessee, is better known for country music and hot chicken than world-class football—but that changed for a night. The atmosphere was electric, the crowd loud and passionate, and the city delivered a world-class football showcase.
And for the fans in attendance? They got a taste of everything that makes the FIFA Club World Cup special—surprises, heartbreak, heroics, and the reminder that in football, giants can fall, and underdogs can rise.
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