The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 continues to deliver drama, and the match between ES Tunis (Espérance Sportive de Tunis) and Chelsea FC proved to be a fiery encounter filled with passion, pace, and plenty of talking points.
The match took place at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, drawing fans from both continents to witness a classic battle between Africa’s finest and one of Europe’s elite.
⚽ Match Summary
- Final Score: Chelsea 2 – 1 ES Tunis
- Goalscorers:
- Chelsea: Raheem Sterling (23’), Enzo Fernández (71’)
- ES Tunis: Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane (51’)
Chelsea edged past ES Tunis with a narrow 2-1 win, but the scoreline hardly tells the full story.
🔥 First Half: Chelsea Starts Strong
The Blues looked confident from kickoff, controlling possession and pressing high. Raheem Sterling opened the scoring in the 23rd minute with a well-placed finish after a slick one-two with Nkunku.
ES Tunis struggled to break into Chelsea’s half, but defended deep and managed to keep the score at 1-0 going into halftime.
🌪️ Second Half: Tunisian Comeback and Controversy
The second half flipped the script. Just six minutes in, Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane equalized for ES Tunis with a brilliant curling shot from the edge of the box — a goal that sent the Tunisian crowd into a frenzy.
However, the celebrations didn’t last long.
Chelsea responded quickly and began applying pressure. A controversial moment came in the 68th minute when VAR denied a penalty appeal for ES Tunis after what looked like a handball in the box.
Moments later, Enzo Fernández capitalized on a defensive error to restore Chelsea’s lead in the 71st minute.
🧤 Goalkeeping Heroics
Both goalkeepers were busy throughout:
- Gabriel Slonina (Chelsea) made a game-saving stop in the 88th minute
- Moez Ben Cherifia (ES Tunis) had 6 crucial saves to keep his side alive
📈 What This Means for the Tournament
- Chelsea is now likely to top their group and advance to the semi-finals.
- ES Tunis still has a chance but must win their next match and depend on goal difference.
🌍 Global Reactions
Football fans praised ES Tunis for their fearless performance, with some even calling it “the best North African performance against a Premier League side in years.”
Chelsea fans were relieved but critical of the team’s defensive lapses, especially in the second half.
Social media trends:
- #ESTunisvsChelsea
- #ClubWorldCup2025
- #Sterling
- #VARDrama
🎙️ Post-Match Quotes
“We showed fight, but it wasn’t enough. Still proud of my team.” — Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane
“We had to dig deep today. Big respect to ES Tunis.” — Enzo Fernández
“VAR robbed us. That was a penalty.” — ES Tunis Coach
📊 Match Stats:
| Statistic | ES Tunis | Chelsea |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | 42% | 58% |
| Shots on Target | 5 | 7 |
| Corners | 3 | 6 |
| Fouls Committed | 13 | 11 |
| Yellow Cards | 2 | 1 |
❓ FAQs – ES Tunis vs Chelsea
Q: When was the match played?
It took place on June 25, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta.
Q: Who scored for each team?
Chelsea: Sterling, Fernández; ES Tunis: Ben Romdhane.
Q: Was there a controversial moment?
Yes, ES Tunis were denied a penalty via VAR in the second half.
Q: What does this mean for the group stage?
Chelsea is close to advancing, while ES Tunis must win their next match.
Q: Where can I watch the highlights?
Highlights are available on FIFA’s official YouTube and sports networks.
Stay tuned as the Club World Cup 2025 continues to unfold with surprises and memorable moments!