Final score: Etoile Sahel 0-1 CS Hammam-Lif

Competition: Tunisian Professional League 1

Date: 11 October 2026, 21:30

CS Hammam-Lif produced one of the standout results of the Tunisian Professional League 1 round by defeating Etoile Sahel 1-0 at the Stade Olympique de Sousse. A second-half goal and a resilient defensive performance gave the visitors a famous away win against one of Tunisian football’s most established clubs.

Match overview

Etoile Sahel controlled the ball for long periods and dictated the rhythm of the match, but they struggled to turn possession into clear chances. CS Hammam-Lif sat deep, defended in numbers, and looked to break quickly whenever Etoile committed players forward. The game followed a familiar pattern: Etoile probing, Hammam-Lif absorbing pressure, and the crowd growing more anxious as the minutes passed.

The decisive moment came in the second half when Hammam-Lif won the ball in midfield and launched a rapid counter-attack. A low cross was swept home from close range, sparking wild celebrations on the away bench. From that point on, the match became a test of Etoile’s patience and Hammam-Lif’s discipline.

Key moments

• 18th minute: Etoile Sahel forced a fine save from the Hammam-Lif goalkeeper after a dipping effort from distance.
• 41st minute: Etoile hit the crossbar with a header, the closest either side came in the first half.
• 67th minute: CS Hammam-Lif scored the only goal of the game, finishing a fast counter-attack with a clinical low strike.
• 78th minute: Hammam-Lif were reduced to ten men after a second yellow card, forcing them into an even deeper defensive shape.
• 90+4 minutes: Etoile sent a final ball into the box, but the goalkeeper claimed it to seal the win.

Tactical story

Etoile Sahel lined up with an attacking midfield and pushed both full-backs high, hoping to overload the wide areas. CS Hammam-Lif responded with a 5-4-1 block that protected the centre of the penalty area and invited Etoile to cross from wide positions. The plan worked perfectly: Etoile’s crosses were often cleared, and the few shots that did get through were blocked or saved.

After the red card, Hammam-Lif’s task became even more difficult, but their concentration never wavered. They cleared their lines, slowed the game down, and used every stoppage to break Etoile’s momentum. It was a classic away performance built on organisation, sacrifice, and a single moment of quality in transition.

Standout players

CS Hammam-Lif’s goalkeeper was the hero of the night, producing a series of saves and commanding his box superbly in the closing stages. The goalscorer also deserved credit for a composed finish on a rare attacking foray. For Etoile Sahel, the midfield trio worked tirelessly to create openings, but the forwards were unable to find a way past a packed defence.

Season impact

The defeat is a significant setback for Etoile Sahel in the Tunisian Professional League 1 title race, especially as it came at home against a side positioned lower in the table. CS Hammam-Lif, meanwhile, will take enormous confidence from the result. Three points away at Etoile Sahel can transform a season, and this performance will give them belief in their battle to climb the standings.