There was no shortage of drama at Sclessin as the Jupiler Pro League delivered another unforgettable night on December 26, 2025. Standard Liège, playing in front of their home fans, looked poised for victory after a strong start, only for Sint-Truiden (STVV) to snatch a 2-1 comeback win that left the Liège faithful stunned. The result not only cemented STVV’s status as one of Belgium’s most in-form teams, but also left Standard’s top-six aspirations hanging by a thread.
The match began with Standard on the front foot, showing urgency and attacking intent. The home side found their reward in the 20th minute when Casper Nielsen unleashed a curling shot from just outside the box. The effort, full of swerve and precision, left STVV goalkeeper Daniel Schmidt rooted to the spot as the ball nestled into the net. The stadium erupted, and Standard seemed in complete control. As one observer put it, "a pearl from Casper Nielsen halfway through the first half was the reward."
But football, as always, has its own script. Just five minutes after taking the lead, Standard’s fortunes took a disastrous turn. While lining up for an attacking free kick, Standard striker Timothé Nkada lost his composure during a tussle with Robert-Jan Vanwesemael. In a moment of madness, Nkada struck his opponent, leaving Vanwesemael with a bloodied nose. The referee wasted no time in brandishing a straight red card. Suddenly, Standard were down to ten men, and the energy inside Sclessin shifted dramatically.
"That moment has turned the match around," Standard midfielder Nayel Mehssatou reflected afterward, unable to hide his disappointment. "It was his fault, even though I haven’t seen the footage again. But such a red card certainly doesn’t help the team." According to Mehssatou, Standard "lost control" after the sending-off: "We had no one up front, couldn’t create chances, and had to endure a lot. It was already tense with eleven against eleven; with ten, it became much harder."
STVV, sensing the opportunity, seized control of the game. The visitors’ passing became sharper and their attacks more coordinated. Just before halftime, they produced a flowing move that sliced through the depleted Standard defense. The ball found Keisuke Goto, who coolly finished to level the score at 1-1 in the 35th minute. The goal was the culmination of a sweeping attack that showcased the confidence and chemistry running through this STVV side.
After the break, Standard tried to regroup and mount a response. However, the numerical disadvantage proved too much. STVV’s composure and patience paid off in the 63rd minute, when substitute Hara delivered a low cross to the near post. Once again, Goto was perfectly positioned, flicking the ball past Standard keeper Arnaud Bodart to give STVV the lead. Two goals for Goto, both expertly taken, and the match had been completely turned on its head.
"Two times in the right place, two times cool in the finish. Keisuke Goto once again showed efficiency, intelligence, and decisiveness in the STVV jersey," wrote one match report, summing up the Japanese striker’s impact. Goto’s brace means he’s quickly becoming one of the revelations of the 2025 season, a player whose movement and finishing are making all the difference for the Kanaries.
Standard, for all their early promise, struggled to create meaningful chances after the red card. There were a few nervy moments for STVV—Sebaoui missed a lob after a poor clearance from Bodart, and Ito failed to keep his shot down after a clever pass from Yamamoto—but the visitors managed the closing stages with maturity and control. The tactical acumen of STVV was on display when coach Thorsten Fink made a bold substitution, replacing Juklerod with Wolke Janssens to shore up the defense and see out the win.
For STVV, the victory capped a remarkable run of form. The team has now claimed 21 points from their last 24 available, closing out 2025 just three points behind league leaders Union. The confidence in the squad was palpable after the final whistle. "There wasn’t much pressure from Standard after the red card. They did themselves in with that red card—that was the big turning point," said STVV’s Wolke Janssens. "They were ahead, but with a man less, and with us in form, we played it out maturely. We’ve really grown in that. Play-off I? That can hardly go wrong now."
Ilias Sebaoui echoed the team spirit driving STVV’s success: "It was a cold match, but we made it warm for ourselves. Everyone was ready to finish 2025 on a high. The red card made it easier, but even when they were ahead, they didn’t put much pressure on us. What makes STVV strong? Everyone wants to go for it as a team. Combine that with a coach who distributes tasks well and a team that follows instructions, and you get this STVV."
On the other side, Standard’s woes deepened. The defeat leaves them anxiously looking over their shoulders, with their place in the top six now under serious threat. Nayel Mehssatou summed up the mood in the Standard dressing room: "We started well, but STVV is a good team. With 11 it’s already tough, with 10 even more so. They pushed us back, and once we had the ball, there was no one left up front to take it. That red card made life difficult for us today. During halftime, it wasn’t about the red card—it was more important to focus on the second half. Our last two home matches haven’t been good, but the results haven’t reflected that. After the winter break, we hope to do better."
The match will be remembered as a tale of two halves and a stark reminder of how quickly fortunes can change in football. Standard’s early dominance was undone by a moment of indiscipline, while STVV showcased the resilience and tactical nous that have fueled their surge up the table. With the new year approaching, STVV’s fans will be dreaming of even greater heights, while Standard faces a period of reflection and regrouping.
As the dust settles on an eventful night in Liège, one thing is clear: STVV’s remarkable run continues, and the chase for the Jupiler Pro League’s top spots is heating up. The Kanaries have put everyone on notice—and with performances like this, who knows how far they can go?
