Esperance finish fifth at Club World Cup

Esperance Sportive de Tunis player Franck Kom (R) and Al Ahly SC player Walid Said Ebeid (L) fight for the ball during the CAF Champions League

by Staff Reporter

Wednesday Dec 19, 2018. 12:00

Caf Champions League holders Esperance de Tunis finished fifth at the on-going 2018 FIFA Club World Cup in the United Arab Emirates.

The African champions suffered a 3-0 defeat to hosts Al-Ain in their opening game of the tournament, before edging CONCACAF Champions League winners Guadalajara 6-5 on penalties in the match for fifth place.

Youcef Belaïli equalised for the Tunisians following an early goal from Walter Sandoval for the Mexicans as the game duly ended in a 1-1 draw, prompting a penalty shoot-out.

Belaïli and 2018 Caf Champions League hero ,Saad Beguir, missed from the spot for the Tunisians who eventually prevailed in sudden death.

Esperance booked their place at the Club World Cup following a 4-3 aggregate win over Al Ahly in the Champions League final.

Al-Ain will face either Kashima Antlers or Real Madrid in the final at the Zayed Sports City Stadium on Saturday.