Flamengo Clinches Knockout Spot After Esperance Defeats LAFC


Flamengo became the first team to secure a spot in the Round of 16 at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup after Esperance of Tunisia beat Los Angeles FC 1-0 in Nashville, La Nación reported. The result eliminates LAFC from contention in Group D, where they now sit bottom with just one point from three matches.
With both teams coming off opening defeats, the game kicked off at full throttle. LAFC saw two goals disallowed in the first half—one each from David Martínez and Olivier Giroud—both ruled out after VAR reviews for offside. The decisive moment came in the 71st minute, when Youcef Belaili capitalized on a poor clearance to fire Esperance ahead.
Belaili was the game’s standout performer, and goalkeeper Ben Said preserved the victory with a stunning penalty save against Denis Bouanga in the 99th minute. Flamengo now lead the group with six points, followed by Esperance (4), Chelsea (3), and LAFC (1). The final matchday will see Flamengo take on LAFC, while Chelsea face off with Esperance in a high-stakes clash.


















