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Bafétimbi Gomis scored the goal of Al-Hilal's victory over Esperance in Tunis on December 14, 2019. Kai Pfaffenbach / Reuters

Espérance de Tunis, who won the CAF Champions League, was beaten in the second round of the 2019 Club World Cup in Qatar. The Tunisians bowed against Al-Hilal (1-0), the winner of the AFC Champions League. A goal by Frenchman Bafetimbi Gomis was fatal to them.

Sad bis repetita for the Hope of Tunis. In 2018, as a holder of the CAF Champions League , the Tunisian club went to the Club World Cup and was slapped on entering the 2nd round by the Emirati club of Al-Aïn (3-0 ), which was qualified as a host country.

For the 2019 edition, ES Tunis, which has retained its continental title , found on its way to the 2nd round the Saudis of Al-Hilal, winner of the Asian Champions League. And if the price differs, the result is the same: it's already over for Espérance, beaten 1-0.

Beaten by Al-Hilal, the players of ES Tunis thank the fans who came to support them in Doha. Corinna Kern / Reuters

ES Tunis not precise enough

At the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha, the EST nevertheless had opportunities. In the 12th minute, goalkeeper Abdullah Al Muaiouf made a mistake in front of Ibrahim Ouattara and gave Anice Badri a great opportunity. But the Esperance striker did not frame. Later, the doorman of the African champions, Moez Ben Cherifia, distinguished himself by winning a duel with Carlos Eduardo, the Brazilian captain of Al-Hilal (22nd).

In the last moments of the first period, the Tunisians almost cracked when a parade of Moez Ben Cherifia proved to be insufficient to prevent the ball from spinning towards the goal. Fortunately for the protégé of coach Mouine Chaabani, Mohamed Yaakoubi appeared to clear his head line.

The " Panther " label

In the second half, Al-Hilal put pressure but lacked precision and even trembled in the 58th. In wanting to intervene on an attack from the EAST, Yasir Al Shahrani propelled the ball towards his own cage, and it took an abrupt dive from Abdullah Al Muaiouf to deflect the ball just before it went to the bottom nets.

And then, Bafétimbi Gomis came into play in the 65th minute. The former French international, nicknamed the "Panther" and scorer during the success of Al-Hilal in the final of the Asian Champions League, did it again. And in what way: served at the entrance to the surface, the ex-striker from Saint-Etienne, Lyon and Marseille in particular eliminated Yaakoubi from a small sombrero before opening the score with a strong strike (73rd ).

Bafétimbi Gomis, alias the "Panther", celebrates his goal with Al-Hilal against Esperance of Tunis. Kai Pfaffenbach / Reuters

ES Tunis failed to recover, despite the expulsion of Mohammed Kanno in the last minutes. As in 2018, the Tunisians will not see the semi-finals, unlike Al-Hilal, who will face the Brazilians of Flamengo Tuesday, December 17. On the same day, Esperance de Tunis will face the winner of the match CF Monterrey-Al-Sadd in the match for fifth place.