Back to the wall after an inaugural defeat against Flamengo (0-2), Tunis sporting hope reacted perfectly by winning against Los Angeles FC (1-0), on the night of Friday to Saturday, at the Geodis Park stadium in Nashville. A precious success that relaunches Sang and Gold in the race for the round of 16 of the 2025 World Cup.
Opposed to an American team also in difficulty – and now eliminated after two consecutive setbacks – Tunisians have shown character, tactical intelligence and efficiency. The saving goal was scored in the 70th minute by Youcef Belaïli, who took advantage of a ball badly released by the defense to place an unstoppable crossing. The Algerian international had already almost opened the scoring in the 4th minute, before seeing his attempt pushed by Hugo Lloris.
But the real hero of the evening was none other than the goalkeeper Béchir Ben Said. Vigilant throughout the game, he offered victory to his family by arresting a penalty by Denis Bouanga in the final seconds of additional time (90+5), thus confirming his stature of the last decisive rampart.
Maher Kanzari, the Esperantist coach, had chosen to innovate in his starting eleven, injecting more dynamism in the middle with Abderrahmane Konaté, and starting Elias Mokwana on the wing. This choice turned out to be paid: Mokwana, very active, was the source of several occasions, including a strike deflected by Lloris (21st). Rodrigo Rodrigues, for his part, saw his attempt hit the post.
The Los Angeles FC, despite some threatening incursions by Martinez and Bouanga, saw two goals refused for offside after recourse to the Var. For their part, the Tunisians have also come close to the station wagon several times: Yan Sasse (74th, 85th) and Guennichi (79th) have narrowly missed the goal of the KO.
With this victory, East returns to Chelsea (3 points), which she will face during a cleaver match on June 25 at 2:00 am (Tunisian time). Flamengo, already qualified with two victories, is guaranteed to finish at the top of the group.
The fate of the Tunisian representative will therefore be played against the English giant. A new performance will be necessary to hope to extend the adventure in this world of raised clubs.
Team compositions
Hope of Tunis : Béchir Ben Saïd – Mohamed Ben Ali, Yassine Meriah, Mohamed Amine Tougai, Mohamed Amine Ben Hamida – Onuche Ogbelu, Khalil Guennichi, Abderrahmane Konaté (Serbali 77e) – Elias Mokwana (Yan Sasse 62e), Youcef Belaïli (Jelassi 90th) Rodrigues (Jabri 62e)
Los Angeles FC : Hugo Lloris – Holling (Yeboah 82e), Segura, Long, Palencia – Delgado, Igor Jess, Tillman (Amaya 82e) – Bouanga, Giroud (Ebobisse 87th), Martinez (Dirosun)
Calendar and results
- Monday June 16: Chelsea-Los Angeles FC 2-0
- Tuesday June 17: Hope St-Flamengo 0-2
- Friday June 20: Flamengo-Chelsea 3-1
- Friday June 20: Hope St-Los Angeles FC 1-0
- Wednesday June 25 – Lincoln Financial Field at 02:00 am: Hope St – Chelsea
- Wednesday June 25 – Camping World Stadium (Orlando) at 2:00 am: Flamengo – Los Angeles FC
