Late Decisive Strike Lifts Ariana to Vital Win, Piling Pressure on Djelma in Early Ligue 2 Struggles

In a tense affair defined by near-misses and mounting pressure, Ariana seized a pivotal 1-0 victory over Djelma on Sunday—a result that cements their mid-table credentials and leaves their visitors searching for answers at the foot of Ligue 2. A solitary strike in the 81st minute proved the difference, reigniting Ariana’s aspirations and deepening Djelma’s early-season woes.

For over 80 minutes, the contest at an undisclosed venue was more a chess match than a showcase of attacking verve. Both sides entered with recent frustrations—Ariana coming off a goalless draw at Progrès Sakiet Eddaïer, Djelma still licking their wounds from a bruising 0-0 home draw against Jendouba Sport. Neither had the luxury of momentum, and the opening exchanges revealed caution from both benches.

Ariana, buoyed by the home crowd, began with intent but struggled to translate possession into clear chances. Djelma, for their part, showed defensive discipline, perhaps mindful of their 1-5 capitulation at Ksour Essef in September—a collapse that has haunted their campaign ever since. The first half unfolded largely in the midfield, with neither goalkeeper truly tested. Fouls broke up the rhythm, and a series of half-chances—none of them memorable—underscored the risk-averse approach.

It was only as the hour mark passed that Ariana found a higher gear. Their midfield, previously stagnant, began to probe, searching for the gaps in Djelma’s back line. The tension mounted as missed opportunities accumulated. With every Ariana surge, the sense grew that the hosts would need a moment of fortune or brilliance to break the deadlock.

That moment arrived in the 81st minute. Ariana’s attack, swift and incisive for perhaps the first time all afternoon, pierced Djelma’s resistance. The scorer’s identity was lost amid the scramble, but the stadium erupted as the net bulged—a crucial goal at a crucial juncture. The strike, coming so late, left Djelma little time to muster a response.

Djelma’s attempts to rally in the dying minutes fizzled. Fatigue and frustration conspired against them, and Ariana nearly doubled their lead on the counter. The final whistle confirmed what the final act had suggested: Ariana celebrated a hard-earned three points, while Djelma’s winless run grew longer.

Context shapes meaning in Ligue 2’s labyrinthine early weeks. This result propels Ariana to ninth place with four points from three games (1 win, 1 draw, 1 loss)—a modest standing, but one hinting at resilience after an uneven start. Their opening month has been a microcosm of Ligue 2 volatility: a 2-1 comeback win over AS Kasserine, the heartbreak of a 2-1 defeat at Kalaâ Sport, and now, a first clean sheet accompanied by a gritty win.

For Djelma, the narrative swells with concern. Only one point from three matches, 12th in the table, and still without a victory—this campaign is threatening to spiral. Their form sheet tells its own story: a single goal scored since the opening day, five conceded in one bruising afternoon at Ksour Essef, and little evidence of attacking cohesion. If defense offers some solace, the lack of goals is a glaring deficiency.

History between these two sides offers little comfort for the visitors. In their most recent encounters, Ariana has seized narrow advantages—evidence, perhaps, of a psychological edge that played out again in the final moments today.

There were no red cards or flashpoints of controversy, just the slow-burn tension of a match where every point counts. For Ariana, the focus now shifts to building consistency—a quality that has so far eluded them. Their ability to convert tight matches into wins may prove decisive as the season matures.

Djelma, meanwhile, faces a stark challenge. The relegation zone already looms, and unless they can find their scoring touch, the campaign could quickly drift beyond salvage. Their next fixtures take on the character of must-win affairs, each one a potential turning point or an anchor to their struggles.

On a day when brilliance was in short supply, Ariana found enough in the dying embers to tip the balance. As autumn deepens and the Ligue 2 script becomes ever more unpredictable, both teams know that, for better or worse, seasons can turn on moments just like this.