BIZERTE, Tunisia (Interstat) — In a Tunisian Ligue 1 match that defied pregame projections, visiting Marsa delivered a commanding 2-0 victory over Soliman on Saturday, February 14, 2026, at Stade du 15 Octobre.

The result marked a strong start to the league campaign for Marsa and a disappointing opener for the hosts, who were heavily favored. Statistical models had anticipated a much different outcome, with Interstat’s game simulator predicting a 1-1 draw and its ELO rating system giving Soliman a 60.8 percent probability of securing a win. Marsa’s performance rendered those forecasts irrelevant with a display of efficient finishing and defensive solidity.

The first half was a tense, scoreless affair with both sides struggling to create clear chances. The breakthrough finally came in the final moments of the opening period. In the 45th minute, Marsa’s Yousri Arfaoui rose to meet a cross and directed a powerful header into the net, giving the visitors a crucial lead just before halftime.

The goal shifted the momentum firmly in Marsa’s favor. Soliman, now forced to chase the game, opened up after the restart but left itself vulnerable to the counterattack. Marsa capitalized on this in the 62nd minute to double its advantage. Ricky Hans Gneba found space on the right side and finished clinically with his right foot, putting the match effectively out of Soliman’s reach.

Soliman pressed forward in search of a consolation goal but was repeatedly frustrated by a disciplined Marsa defense, which secured a clean sheet on the road. The home side’s attack lacked precision in the final third, failing to convert any of its opportunities.

With the victory, Marsa begins its Ligue 1 season with a record of one win and no losses, earning three valuable points away from home. The club’s overall record across all competitions also moves to one win and no losses. For Soliman, the defeat is a setback, leaving it with a record of zero wins and one loss in the league and an identical mark in all competitions. The team will look to regroup after a performance that fell well short of expectations in front of its home supporters.

The match, played on Valentine’s Day, offered no affection for the home fans as Marsa’s clinical execution in front of goal proved the decisive factor. The fixture demonstrated the unpredictable nature of league football, where pregame statistics and probabilities can be swiftly overturned by events on the pitch. Marsa will aim to build on this positive start, while Soliman must address its offensive shortcomings ahead of its next league encounter.