CS Hammam-Lif 0-1 Esperance Sportive de Tunis — Esperance Sportive de Tunis claimed a narrow 1-0 away win over CS Hammam-Lif in the Tunisian Professional League 1 on 13 September 2026, with a second-half goal settling a tense, tactical contest at the Stade Municipal de Hammam-Lif.

Match overview

Esperance arrived as the more fancied side and controlled long spells of the match, but CS Hammam-Lif defended with discipline and frustrated the visitors for much of the first hour. The only goal came in the 67th minute, when Esperance finally turned their possession into a decisive moment. The result keeps Esperance in the leading group of the Tunisian Professional League 1 standings, while Hammam-Lif were left to rue a strong defensive performance that ultimately yielded no points.

Key moments

• 18th minute: Esperance created the first clear opening when a low cross from the right was turned toward goal, but CS Hammam-Lif goalkeeper Aymen Trabelsi reacted well to smother the ball.
• 34th minute: Hammam-Lif nearly stunned the visitors on the counter, with Yassine Ayari heading just over from a free-kick.
• 67th minute: The breakthrough arrived. Wassim Ben Yahia collected a clever pass between the lines, took a touch to steady himself, and placed a low shot beyond the goalkeeper to make it 0-1.
• 84th minute: Esperance almost doubled the lead on the break, but a last-ditch sliding challenge from Hammam-Lif’s defence kept the scoreline close.
• 90+3rd minute: The hosts sent a late ball into the box, but Esperance’s back line held firm to secure the clean sheet.

Tactical story

CS Hammam-Lif set up in a compact 5-4-1 shape, looking to deny space in central areas and force Esperance wide. That plan worked for long periods, as the visitors were reduced to crosses and speculative shots. Esperance’s 4-2-3-1 eventually found joy when their attacking midfielder drifted into the half-spaces, pulling the Hammam-Lif midfield out of position. The winning goal was a perfect example: a quick vertical pass, a smart first touch, and a finish that required very little backlift. Hammam-Lif tried to respond with fresh legs, but they lacked the quality in the final third to test the Esperance goalkeeper consistently.

Standout players

Wassim Ben Yahia was the difference-maker for Esperance, not only for his goal but for his ability to link midfield and attack under pressure. Aymen Trabelsi kept CS Hammam-Lif in the game with several important saves and commanded his penalty area well. For Esperance, centre-back Skander Khelifi was composed throughout, winning aerial duels and stepping into midfield to start attacks.

Table and season impact

For Esperance Sportive de Tunis, this is the kind of away result that can shape a title challenge: not spectacular, but professional, patient, and ultimately effective. The three points keep them firmly in the conversation at the top of the Tunisian Professional League 1 table. CS Hammam-Lif, meanwhile, remain in need of points and will take encouragement from their defensive organisation, even though the attacking output must improve if they are to climb the standings.