Nigerian midfielder Onuche Ogbelu played a crucial role as Esperance secured a dramatic 1-0 victory against Los Angeles FC during the second round of the FIFA Club World Cup.

This nail-biting encounter in Group D saw Ogbelu on the pitch for the full 90 minutes, inspiring the Tunisian giants to a vital three points in his second tournament appearance, Footballrover reports.

Onuche Ogbelu’s masterclass against Los Angeles FC

Despite facing a strong Los Angeles side, Esperance clinched an important win that has major implications for the group standings.

The 22-year-old midfielder delivered a standout performance that defied some of the basic stats.

While he had the fewest touches (42) among outfield players who completed the game, his efficiency was unmatched.

Ogbelu boasted an impressive 95 accurate passes, displaying his precision and calmness under pressure.

Beyond passing, his defensive contributions included one clearance, two recoveries, and a perfect record on long passes.

He also won two tackles and three ground duels. His four passes in the final third also highlighted his efforts to push Esperance forward against LAFC.

Dramatic moments in the Club World Cup

However, the American side thought they had scored twice early on through Olivier Giroud and David Martínez, but both goals were disallowed for offside, much to their dismay.

Esperance also had a moment of controversy when Youcef Belaïli was initially awarded a penalty, only for it to be overturned by video review, earning Belaïli a yellow card for diving instead.

The breakthrough finally came with just 20 minutes left when Belaïli redeemed himself, scoring smartly from the edge of the box to give Esperance the lead.

The drama didn’t end there. In deep stoppage time, Los Angeles FC earned a penalty, giving them a golden chance to equalise.

However, Esperance goalkeeper Bechir Ben Said pulled off a heroic save, denying Denis Bouagna and securing a thrilling first win for his team in this FIFA Club World Cup.

This result severely dents the hopes of the MLS side from advancing, as they remain at the bottom of Group D with no points, facing Flamengo next.

Esperance, now with three points, will prepare to face Chelsea in their next Club World Cup fixture, hoping to build on this incredible victory.

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Last Updated on June 21, 2025 9:22 am by Sir Kris