Union Saint-Gilloise beat Charleroi 3-2 to take Belgian Pro League lead
Union Saint-Gilloise climbed to the top of the Belgian Pro League after recovering from a first-half deficit to defeat Sporting de Charleroi 3-2 at the Mambourg stadium on Saturday.
Opening exchange and defensive lapse
Sporting de Charleroi entered Saturday's fixture at the Stade du Mambourg holding first place in the Belgian Pro League after winning all four of their opening matches. Union Saint-Gilloise, managed by David Hubert, arrived unbeaten in four matches and quickly created problems for the hosts. The opening goal arrived in the 12th minute following an injury stoppage that temporarily left Charleroi defender Van den Kerkhof on the sideline. Midfielder Adem Zorgane attacked the vacated space on the right flank and sent in a cross. Charleroi goalkeeper Mohamed Koné failed to secure the ball, fumbling it into his own net to hand the Brussels side a 1-0 advantage.
Charleroi responded with sustained attacking pressure against the Belgian Cup winners. Van den Kerkhof struck the post with an effort in the 25th minute as the hosts pushed for parity. Two minutes later, Scheidler received the ball with his back to goal, pivoted, and directed a pass toward Van den Kerkhof on the right wing. The fullback crossed to Mbemba, who converted into an empty net to level the score at 1-1 in the 27th minute.
Rapid goals before the interval
Charleroi capitalized on their momentum to take the lead in the 41st minute through a fast passing sequence. Romsaas initiated the move with a backheel flick to Scheidler, who slipped a pass to Patrick Pflücke inside the penalty area. Pflücke finished the chance to make the score 2-1 in favor of the home team.
- Goalkeeper Mohamed Koné deflects Adem Zorgane's cross into his own net for 0-1.
- Van den Kerkhof hits the post for Sporting Charleroi.
- Mbemba scores into an empty net to level the score at 1-1.
- Patrick Pflücke finishes a flowing move to give Charleroi a 2-1 lead.
- Adem Zorgane scores from the edge of the box to make it 2-2.
- Kamiel Van De Perre fires into the top corner from a corner to make it 2-3.
- Florucz hits the crossbar from distance for Union Saint-Gilloise.
- Havenaar heads against his own crossbar, averting a late equalizer.
The lead lasted only two minutes before Union Saint-Gilloise answered. In the 44th minute, Charleroi failed to clear a second ball from a corner kick and left space at the top of the penalty area. Zorgane collected the loose ball and struck a precise effort past Koné into the net, bringing the score to 2-2 just before half-time.
Decisive second-half strike
Union Saint-Gilloise regained control immediately after the restart. In the 49th minute, Zeneli took a short corner and played the ball back toward the edge of the penalty box. Belgian midfielder Kamiel Van De Perre connected with a clean first-time strike, sending the ball directly into the top corner of Koné's net to establish a 3-2 lead for the visitors.
- Sporting de Charleroi
- 2 goals
- Union Saint-Gilloise
- 3 goals
Union Saint-Gilloise nearly doubled their margin six minutes later when Florucz unleashed a left-footed long-range shot that struck the crossbar. Charleroi pressed forward during the final thirty minutes in search of an equalizer, with defender Ousou missing a significant chance around the 60th minute. The hosts came closest to leveling in the 85th minute, when USG Japanese defender Havenaar inadvertently headed a clearance against his own crossbar, protecting goalkeeper Hervé Koffi and preserving the 3-2 scoreline until full-time.
Standings shift at the top of the table
The victory ended Charleroi's perfect four-match start to the league campaign and handed the club its first defeat of the season. The result moved Union Saint-Gilloise to the top of the Pro League table with a one-point advantage over Club Brugge, Sporting Charleroi, and Gent. Gent can move back ahead into first place with a victory against Cercle Brugge on Sunday.
