With both sides having lost their opening group games, it was effectively a do-or-die clash in Nashville as LAFC and ES Tunis fought to avoid elimination from the tournament.
With that incentive in mind, the Tunisian champions came close to taking an early lead when Belaili saw a close-range effort superbly thwarted by veteran keeper Hugo Lloris.
Esperance threatened again shortly after as Rodrigo Rodrigues fired against the post from the edge of the box, while at the other end, David Martinez missed the target when well-placed in the area.
Having conceded first in five successive outings, LAFC looked to stamp their authority on proceedings as halftime approached, and Steven Cherundolo’s side thought they’d found the all-important breakthrough, only for Martinez’s strike to be ruled out for a Denis Bouanga offside in the build-up.
It was ES Tunis’ turn to be frustrated by a decision at the start of the second period, as a penalty awarded for an apparent trip on Belaili was quickly overturned by VAR, with the Algerian forward instead receiving a yellow card for simulation.
After that moment of drama, Maher Kanzari’s men upped the ante in pursuit of an opener, and it duly arrived in the 70th minute when Belaili latched onto a loose ball in the box and rifled a low finish under the body of Lloris.
The Tunisian side came within inches of doubling their lead late on, as Khalil Guenichi fired against the bar from range.
That provided LAFC with a reprieve heading into stoppage time, and after half-chances for Bouanga and Javairo Dilrosun were wasted, they were awarded a penalty thanks to a late misjudged challenge on Marlon in the area.
Bouanga assumed the responsibility from the spot, but in remarkable scenes, Bechir Ben Said thwarted the effort with his trailing leg as Esperance secured a 10th consecutive win after scoring first.
The result keeps their hopes of progression alive heading into a decisive clash against Chelsea, while LAFC bow out of the competition with a match to spare.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Youcef Belaili (Esperance Tunis)
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