Tunisian giants Esprance kept their Club World Cup hopes alive with a gritty 1-0 victory over Los Angeles FC, thanks to a second-half strike from Youcef Belali.The Group D clash in Nashville had all the intensity of a knockout match, with both sides needing a win after losing their opening fixtures. Esperance nearly grabbed the lead early on, but Hugo Lloris made a superb save to deny Belaili from close range. Rodrigo Rodrigues later struck the post, while LAFC’s David Martnez missed a big chance at the other end.Martinez thought he had broken the deadlock just before halftime, but his goal was ruled out for offside against Denis Bouanga in the buildup. Early in the second half, Belali was at the centre of controversy again after being awarded a penalty, only for VAR to overturn the decision and book him for simulation.The breakthrough finally came in the 70th minute when Belaili pounced on a loose ball in the box and fired past Lloris. Esperance nearly doubled their lead through Khalil Guenichi, but his long-range shot struck the bar.LAFC had a golden chance to equalise in stoppage time through a penalty, but Bouangas spot-kick was saved by Bechir Ben Said, sealing Esperances hard-fought win.
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