On April 4, 2026, the highly anticipated Tunisian Classico took place at the Sousse Olympic Stadium, featuring Espérance Sportive de Tunis, known as the Blood and Gold, against their rivals Étoile du Sahel.
As the match unfolded, the atmosphere was charged with tension and expectation. However, the game ended in a 0-0 draw, a result that left Espérance frustrated as they dropped two valuable points in the title race.
Controversy marked the match early on when a penalty awarded to Étoile du Sahel was overturned by VAR in the 5th minute, setting the tone for a game filled with contentious moments.
By the 20th minute, constant stoppages for minor fouls began to disrupt the flow of the match, frustrating both players and fans alike.
In the 50th minute, Espérance’s key player Jebali was substituted due to a muscle injury, which further impacted the team’s dynamics on the field.
Despite the challenges, Hamidhi managed to test the goalkeeper in the 75th minute, showcasing some offensive effort from Espérance.
However, in a pivotal moment, Hamidhi’s goal was ruled out for offside in the 80th minute, denying Espérance a potential lead.
As the match approached its conclusion, Ben Choug forced a save in the 82nd minute, and Hadj-Ali’s corner was saved in the 89th minute, but neither team could break the deadlock.
Overall, the match featured frequent stoppages and bookings, with Ben Hamida, Jebali, and Keita receiving yellow cards during the game.
This outcome is particularly significant for Espérance, who are the reigning champions and CAF Champions League semifinalists, as they now face increased pressure in the title race.
Looking ahead, Espérance will need to regroup and focus on their upcoming CAF Champions League semi-final, as they aim to bounce back from this disappointing result.
Details remain unconfirmed.
