Football can be cruel. One minute you’re screaming for a late-stoppage penalty, and the next, you’re watching your tournament dreams evaporate into the humid Tennessee air. That was the reality for LAFC fans on June 20, 2025. It wasn't just a loss; it was a tactical puzzle that Steve Cherundolo simply couldn't solve.
If you weren't at GEODIS Park, it's hard to describe the atmosphere. You’d think a match in Nashville between a California team and a Tunisian giant would feel neutral.
Wrong.
The ES Tunis supporters—the "Mkachkha"—turned that stadium into a satellite version of Tunis. The noise was constant. The pressure was suffocating. Honestly, the 1-0 scoreline doesn't even tell the whole story of how LAFC got tangled in the Tunisian web.
The Night the Black & Gold Went Cold
Let’s get into the weeds of LAFC vs ES Tunis. Going into this Group D clash at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, the stakes were basically "win or go home." Both teams had dropped their openers—LAFC to Chelsea and ES Tunis to Flamengo.
LAFC actually started with a bit of a swagger. Within the first 30 minutes, they had the ball in the net twice. Olivier Giroud and David Martínez both thought they’d broken the deadlock. But the flag went up. Both times. Offside. You could feel the air leave the stadium. It's those tiny margins—inches, really—that change the entire trajectory of a season.
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By the time the second half rolled around, the game had shifted. Youcef Belaïli, the Algerian international who is basically a folk hero for ES Tunis, started finding pockets of space that shouldn't have existed.
Then came the 70th minute.
Amine Ben Hamida made this marauding run down the left flank. He got tangled up, the ball went loose, and there was Belaïli. He didn't hesitate. He drove a low, hard shot past Hugo Lloris. Seeing a legend like Lloris beaten like that felt like a punch to the gut for the traveling LA supporters.
Tactical Stalemate and the Penalty That Wasn't
The weirdest part of this match? LAFC had 60% of the possession. Sixty. Usually, when a team has that much of the ball, they're peppering the goal.
Not this time.
The Tunisian defense, anchored by Bechir Ben Saïd in goal, was a literal wall. LAFC struggled to record a single shot on target until deep into stoppage time. It was frustrating to watch. Denis Bouanga was trying to make things happen on the wing, but he was constantly doubled or tripled.
Then, the drama peaked.
In the 95th minute, Marlon was bundled over in the box. The referee, Espen Eskås, pointed to the spot after a VAR review. This was it. The lifeline. Bouanga stepped up, the guy who has carried the team so many times. He went for the corner, but Ben Saïd guessed right. A massive kick-save.
Just like that, it was over. LAFC became the first team officially eliminated from the competition.
Why This Result Actually Matters for MLS
People love to talk about the "gap" between MLS and the rest of the world. This match is going to be cited for years as evidence. On paper, LAFC probably had the higher wage bill. They had the European stars. But ES Tunis had the tactical discipline and the "big game" experience.
They've been to four Club World Cups. They know how to suffer.
- Clinical Finishing: ES Tunis took their one real chance; LAFC wasted three.
- Mental Fortitude: The Tunisians didn't blink when VAR took away their own penalty earlier in the game.
- Support: The traveling ES Tunis fans completely neutralized the "home" advantage for the American side.
It's a wake-up call. You can't just out-talent teams in a tournament of this caliber. You need a Plan B when your wingers are locked down.
What’s Next for Both Clubs?
For LAFC, the focus shifts back to domestic dominance. They have to shake off the "what ifs" of Nashville and realize they stayed competitive with global powerhouses. They finished their group stage against Flamengo, but the damage was done in the LAFC vs ES Tunis match.
ES Tunis moved on to face Chelsea in a winner-takes-all scenario for the knockouts. They proved that North African football isn't just about passion; it's about a very specific, very effective brand of tactical maturity.
If you’re a fan, keep an eye on how Cherundolo adjusts the roster in the next transfer window. They need more than just star power; they need the kind of grit ES Tunis showed. Start paying attention to the CAF Champions League winners—teams like Al Ahly and ES Tunis are no longer "underdogs" on the world stage. They are the standard.
Check the official FIFA archives for the full match replay if you want to see a masterclass in defensive positioning. It’s painful for LAFC fans, but it’s a necessary watch for anyone who wants to understand how the global game is evolving.