Youcef Belaili’s second-half strike and a late penalty save helped Esperance edge LAFC 1-0 in a fiery Group D clash in Nashville.

Tunisian powerhouse Esperance de Tunis reignited their FIFA Club World Cup campaign with a dramatic 1-0 victory over Los Angeles FC, in a game filled with tension, missed chances, and late drama.

Coming into the match with both teams desperate for a win after opening-day defeats, the stakes were sky-high. Esperance came out firing, nearly scoring in the early stages as Youcef Belaili forced LAFC’s Hugo Lloris into a brilliant reflex save. Moments later, Rodrigo Rodrigues rattled the post with a fierce drive, while LAFC’s David Martínez fluffed a golden chance at the other end.

Just before halftime, LAFC thought they had taken the lead through Martínez, only for the goal to be ruled out after Denis Bouanga was deemed offside in the buildup.

Belaili was in the spotlight again early in the second half, winning a penalty — or so he thought — before VAR intervened, overturning the decision and issuing a yellow card for simulation.

But justice came in the 70th minute when the Tunisian talisman finally found the breakthrough, latching onto a loose ball in the box and rifling past Lloris to send the Esperance fans wild.

There was still more drama to come. In stoppage time, LAFC had a lifeline with a last-minute penalty. Up stepped Bouanga, but Bechir Ben Said guessed right and pulled off a heroic save to secure the win.

With the victory, Esperance remain in contention for a place in the knockout rounds, while LAFC’s hopes hang by a thread.