Elias Mokwana struggles but Esperance do just enough to get past Los Angeles in Club World Cup fixture to keep alive their knockout stage chances

South Africa international Elias Mokwana lasted an hour as Esperance beat Los Angeles by a solitary goal on Saturday morning at Geodis Park in Nashville to keep alive their chances of making the Round of 16.

The Yellow and Red started the Group D game on a high, coming close twice in the early exchanges, but former Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Hugo Lloris pulled a massive save to deny Youcef Belaili from close range after just four minutes on the clock.

Mokwana's teammate Rodrigo Rodrigues was then denied by the upright moments later as the North African outfit threatened.

The Major Soccer League side grew in confidence as the match progressed, finding the back of the net twice, only to be denied by the offside flag.

With 20 minutes to go, Belaili - who had earlier been booked for simulation, pounced on a loose ball in the area and squeezed it past Lloris to give his team a deserved lead.

With barely a minute to go, Esperance conceded a penalty after a Khalil Guenichi foul. However, goalkeeper Bechir Ben Said rose to the occasion to deny Denis Bouanga and ensure his team bagged vital points.

Flamengo have already advanced from Group D, having collected maximum points, leaving Chelsea and Esperance, both on three points, to battle for the remaining slot.

With Mokwana still hoping to make Bafana Bafana's 2025 Africa Cup of Nations squad, he has to prove to Hugo Broos that he can create and take scoring opportunities on the big stage.

His struggles at the top level will not impress the Belgian; in the initial game against Flamengo, the former Sekhukhune United man was introduced in the second half, and against Los Angeles, he lasted an hour on the pitch with just one shot on target.

Mohau Nkota and co. have shown their hunger already, giving the Belgian tactician alternatives in the wing position.

.

Esperance will meet English Premier League's Chelsea on Wednesday knowing that anything less than victory will see them eliminated from the competition.

Brazil's Flamengo top Group D after beating Chelsea 3-1 in Match Day 2, sitting on six points after two games. Chelsea and Esperance are on three points each, with the English side in second due to a superior goal difference. Los Angeles FC are bottom with no points.

Mokwena and his teammates have to rise to the occasion at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to prove they have what it takes to dine with the best in the world.