On December 26, 2024, the Guldensporenstadion became the battleground as KV Kortrijk faced Sporting Charleroi, marking another pivotal week in the Jupiler Pro League. With KV Kortrijk sitting precariously at 14th place and Sporting Charleroi aiming for the coveted top six, both teams needed points for vastly different reasons. Kortrijk, having just parted ways with head coach Freyr Alexandersson, was hungry to kickstart its campaign after securing only four points from its last seven matches. Meanwhile, Charleroi, bolstered by recent performances, was poised to make its mark.
The atmosphere was electric, with fans supporting the home side, hoping for the first win under new management. Just minutes after kickoff, Nikola Štulic stunned the home crowd, finding the net within the first few minutes. His goal came from a low cross, and Kevin Vandenberghe, the Kortrijk goalkeeper, was caught off guard as the ball sailed past him. “A lucky goal for Charleroi! What a dream start!” exclaimed the match reporter as the visiting fans erupted with joy.
Despite trailing early on, KV Kortrijk sought to mount a comeback. Yves Vanderhaeghe's side showed tenacity, pushing forward and creating opportunities, albeit with limited success. Their first significant chance materialized as Messaoudi's header forced Charleroi goalkeeper Mohamed Koné to stretch to keep it out. With Prescendavl scores on their side, Kortrijk significantly improved its passing accuracy, completing 85% of its passes compared to Charleroi's 82%.
After the halftime break, the momentum seemed to shift slightly, but it was clear Kortrijk struggled to convert this newfound impetus. A few spells of midfield dominance led to several attempts at goal, though the precision was lacking. Every time they got close, Koné was ready, showcasing his skills time and again as he stifled attempts from the home side. "Kortrijk needs to work on their finishing if they want any chance of getting back in this match," remarked the commentator during the broadcast.
Charleroi, through the gritty play of Daan Heymans and the creativity of Zorgane, kept the pressure on Kortrijk, launching several counter-attacks. With renewed vigor, they continued to thwart Kortrijk's efforts. “Charleroi dominates and shows Kortrijk all corners of the field,” the live update read, painting a clear picture of Charleroi’s tactical superiority.
Crisis for Kortrijk loomed closer with every passing minute as Charleroi grew increasingly comfortable. Despite Kortrijk's target to claw back, their frustration was palpable, especially as Bernier came close to doubling the lead, only to miss narrowly. "This could have been 0-2 easily," noted the live commentator, highlighting the missed opportunities for the visitors.
Intriguingly, the match then turned controversial when Charleroi’s Heymans scored what appeared to be the second goal. The referee was summoned to the VAR check as Titraoui was alleged to have committed a foul before the goal. After some deliberation, the goal was disallowed, leaving the Charleroi players and fans astounded. “The VAR ruling is going to be discussed for days,” quipped the commentator, aptly summarizing the sentiment surrounding the decision.
With the score hanging at 1-0, Kortrijk might have sensed their chance. Just when it seemed as if Charleroi’s defense would withstand any onslaught, they were hit with another blow—injuries sidelined their top scorer Nacho Ferri and pivotal midfielder Mehssatou, leaving Vanderhaeghe to patch up the squad. His substitutions, including bringing Thierry Ambrose to the forefront, were aimed at injecting fresh energy.
Nonetheless, the final minutes of the match saw Charleroi return to their commanding form. Koné made exceptional saves as Kortrijk ramped up the pressure. The home supporters were on the edge of their seats, yearning for the equalizer. "The home team is trying to fight back," reflected the match commentator, maintaining the narrative of hope.
Alas, it wasn’t to be, as the whistle blew, confirming Charleroi’s narrow victory. The three points boosted them closer to the top six—something they had been clawing for since falling out of it earlier this season. Meanwhile, Kortrijk remains entrenched at the bottom of the standings, with only Beerschot below them. “KV Kortrijk has to rethink their season strategy if they want to avoid relegation,” concluded one expert on the panel, putting the pressure on the beleaguered side.
The match served as both a wake-up call and reaffirming the struggles facing KV Kortrijk, who now look to turn things around swiftly. Eyes will be on their next fixtures as they search for salvation and hope to avoid falling through the cracks of the Jupiler Pro League.
