📰 LAFC Out of Club World Cup 2025 After Dramatic Defeat to Esperance
LAFC’s 2025 Club World Cup journey ended in heartbreak, as Denis Bouanga’s stoppage-time penalty miss sealed a 1-0 loss to Esperance Sportive de Tunis at GEODIS Park in Nashville. The result eliminated the MLS side from Group D and opened the door for Esperance and Chelsea to fight for the second spot in the knockout rounds.
⚽ Match Recap: Esperance 1-0 LAFC
A cagey affair came alive in the 70th minute when Youcef Belaïli scored to give Esperance the lead. LAFC struggled to respond but were handed a lifeline in injury time when a VAR review awarded a penalty for a foul by Khalil Guenichi on Marlon.
Denis Bouanga stepped up, with LAFC’s hopes on his shoulders—but goalkeeper Ben Said guessed right, diving to deny Bouanga and confirm LAFC’s early exit from the tournament.
📊 Group D Standings Update (After June 20)
| Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flamengo | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | +4 | 6 |
| Chelsea | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | -2 | 0 |
| Esperance | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | +1 | 3 |
| LAFC | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | -3 | 0 |
➡️ Flamengo has secured qualification.
➡️ Chelsea vs. Esperance will decide the second qualifier.
➡️ A draw favors Chelsea due to superior goal differential.
💥 Bouanga’s Missed Penalty: A Costly Moment
Bouanga, one of LAFC’s key attacking threats, had the perfect opportunity to keep his team alive—but his poorly placed penalty was comfortably saved by Ben Said. It’s a moment that will haunt the team as they return home after a short campaign.
🔎 What Went Wrong for LAFC?
- Lack of finishing: Despite decent buildup play, LAFC failed to convert key chances across both games.
- Defensive lapse: Allowing a late goal after a tightly contested battle proved fatal.
- Missed opportunities: Including the decisive penalty miss, LAFC lacked clinical edge when it mattered.
🌍 Esperance: Underdogs Rising
With their win over LAFC, Esperance Sportive de Tunis has suddenly become one of the surprise packages of the tournament. Their blend of tactical discipline and timely scoring sets up a tantalizing clash with Chelsea next. LAFC vs Esperance Club World Cup 2025.
📅 What’s Next in Group D?
- Chelsea vs. Esperance – Tuesday, June 24 in Philadelphia
- Scenario:
-
- Esperance wins → advances to Round of 16
- Draw → Chelsea advances due to superior goal difference
- Loss → Esperance eliminated
🎙️ Post-Match Reaction
“We fought hard, but at this level, you have to be ruthless. That moment at the end… it hurts.”
— Steve Cherundolo, LAFC Head Coach
“We came with a mission, and we still have one more job to do.”
— Youcef Belaïli, Goal-scorer for Esperance
🏁 Conclusion
LAFC’s Club World Cup dream ends in heartbreak, while Esperance Sportive de Tunis marches on to a decisive showdown against Chelsea. Bouanga’s missed penalty will go down as one of the pivotal moments of the 2025 tournament, showcasing the unforgiving nature of global competition.
🙋♂️ FAQs: LAFC vs Esperance – Club World Cup 2025
❓Why was LAFC eliminated from the Club World Cup 2025?
LAFC was eliminated after a 1-0 loss to Esperance Sportive de Tunis. A missed penalty by Denis Bouanga in stoppage time sealed their exit from Group D.
❓Who scored the winning goal in LAFC vs. Esperance?
Youcef Belaïli scored the only goal of the match in the 70th minute, giving Esperance a vital victory and keeping their knockout stage hopes alive.
❓What happened during LAFC’s penalty in stoppage time?
A VAR review awarded LAFC a penalty after a foul on Marlon. Denis Bouanga took the spot kick, but it was saved by Esperance goalkeeper Ben Said, ending LAFC’s chances.
❓Is Esperance still in the Club World Cup 2025?
Yes, Esperance is still in contention to qualify for the Round of 16. They will face Chelsea in a decisive final Group D match. A win takes them through.
❓What result does Chelsea need to advance?
Chelsea will advance with a draw or win against Esperance due to a superior goal differential, despite their earlier loss to Flamengo.
❓Who has already qualified from Group D?
Flamengo has secured qualification to the Round of 16 after winning both of their group matches, including a 3-1 win over Chelsea.
❓Where was the LAFC vs Esperance match played?
The match took place at GEODIS Park in Nashville on Friday, June 20, 2025.
❓How did LAFC qualify for the Club World Cup?
LAFC earned their spot in the 2025 Club World Cup by winning a playoff against Club América just three weeks before the tournament began.
