2025 Club World Cup: Youcef Belaïli scores to power Esperance to crucial victory against Los Angeles FC

Algerian star Youcef Belaïli was the hero for Esperance de Tunis on Friday night as he scored to power the team to a crucial victory against Los Angeles FC at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.

The experienced forward started in the attack of the Tunisians in their second Group D game of the tournament.

In the match played at Geodis Park, both teams put up a strong performance in their bid to earn all three points.

Esperance were briefly awarded a penalty in the 49th minute after Denis Bouanga of LAFC was penalised for a foul. However, following a VAR review, referee Espen Eskas overturned the decision, ruling no infringement had occurred.

Esperance finally broke the deadlock in the 71st minute. Belaïli reacted quickest to a loose ball in the box, firing a composed finish low into the middle of the net to put the Tunisian side 1-0 ahead.

Deep into stoppage time, LAFC had a golden chance to level the score when they were awarded a penalty.

Denis Bouanga stepped up but was denied by an excellent save from goalkeeper Bechir Ben Said.

The goalkeeping heroics summed up what was a strong overall performance from Esperance as they held on to secure a vital 1-0 win at full-time.

The result puts the Tunisians in a good place to progress to the knockout stage of the tournament.