Espérance de Tunis delivered a solid performance this afternoon at the Abdelaziz Chétioui Stadium, securing a 3-0 win over AS Marsa in Matchday 8 of Ligue 1. After a quiet first half, the Blood and Gold stepped up after the break, sealing an important victory that lifts them to second place in the standings, just one point behind leaders Stade Tunisien.
The game started cautiously, with both sides struggling to create clear chances as play remained congested in midfield. Espérance lacked precision in their final passes, while the hosts looked dangerous on two occasions, forcing goalkeeper Béchir Ben Saïd into key saves (22’ and 38’).
Just before halftime, however, the breakthrough came. On a well-taken free kick from Sasse, Jelassi’s header found captain Mohamed Amine Tougaï lurking near the post, who slotted the ball home to give Espérance a precious lead at the stroke of halftime (45’+2).
Back from the locker room, Espérance showed a much improved face. Belaïli came close with a clever cross-shot (53’), and Sasse narrowly missed the target shortly after (58’). The Blood and Gold piled on the pressure, and the second goal was only a matter of time.
In the 67th minute, Belaïli once again made the difference with a dazzling run down the left, dribbling past two defenders before setting up Danho Séké. The Franco-Ivorian striker calmly slotted the ball past the Marsa goalkeeper to double the lead (0-2).
Espérance kept pushing forward and nearly added a third when Boualia was denied by the Marsa keeper in the 90th minute. The final word, however, belonged to substitute Jabri. Played through brilliantly by Guenichi, he found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper and finished coolly with a left-footed strike at the near post (90’+3).
AS Marsa had a last attempt deep into stoppage time (90’+8), but Ben Saïd stood firm and preserved his clean sheet.
This 3-0 away victory confirms Espérance’s growing confidence, with defensive solidity and clinical finishing in the second half. With 17 points, the Blood and Gold climb to second place, now just a single point away from Stade Tunisien.
A result that boosts morale, strengthens belief, and keeps Espérance right on track in the title race.
EST Lineup: Ben Saïd, Ben Ali, Laifi, Jelassi, Tougai(c), Tka, Guenichi, Jebali (Boualia 74'), Belaïli (Koudhaï 90'), Sasse (Ogbelu 64') and Danho (Jabri 74').
Booking: Danho, Belaïli.