In a thrilling opener to the Champions Playoffs, Union Saint-Gilloise showcased their dominance by defeating Antwerp with a resounding score of 5-1 on Saturday, March 29, 2025. The victory not only sets the tone for the playoffs but also places significant pressure on their rivals, Genk and Club Bruges, who are scheduled to play on Sunday.
The match kicked off at a blistering pace, with Union striking early. Khalaili opened the scoring just four minutes into the game, converting from a corner to give the home side a 1-0 lead. The early goal energized the Union players, who continued to press for a second. However, the joy was short-lived when Sofiane Boufal had to leave the field due to injury just ten minutes later, replaced by Ait El Hadj.
Despite the setback, Union quickly regained their momentum. Ait El Hadj made an immediate impact by assisting Promise David, who doubled the lead in the 14th minute, marking his 12th goal of the season. The home crowd was ecstatic, and it seemed like Union was on their way to a comfortable victory.
However, Antwerp refused to go quietly. They thought they had reduced the deficit in the 17th minute when Balikwisha found the back of the net, but the goal was disallowed by VAR for offside. The drama continued as the match unfolded, with both teams creating chances. Finally, in the 37th minute, Antwerp's persistence paid off when Gyrano Kerk scored, bringing the score to 2-1 and reigniting the contest.
Just as Antwerp seemed to be gaining momentum, disaster struck for them just before halftime. Bozhinov received a second yellow card for a foul on Niang inside the penalty area, leading to his dismissal and a penalty for Union. Ivanovic stepped up to take the penalty and successfully converted it, restoring Union's two-goal advantage at 3-1 just before the break.
The second half started with Union in control, holding a two-goal cushion and an extra player. Although the pace slowed, Union remained dangerous. In the 71st minute, Machida scored the fourth goal for Union, heading in from a corner that was inadvertently deflected by Riedewald into his own net. This effectively sealed the game for the home side.
As the match drew to a close, Ivanovic capped off an impressive performance by scoring his second goal of the match in the 87th minute, making it 5-1. The Croatian forward's strike was a powerful left-footed shot that left Antwerp's goalkeeper, Senne Lammens, with no chance.
With this emphatic victory, Union Saint-Gilloise not only secured three crucial points but also temporarily moved into second place in the league standings, now just three points behind leaders Genk and one point ahead of Club Bruges. The win sets a positive tone for their upcoming match against La Gantoise next Saturday, while Antwerp will need to regroup quickly as they prepare to face Club Bruges.
Overall, the match was a showcase of Union's attacking prowess and resilience, overcoming an injury setback and maintaining composure against a spirited Antwerp side. As the Champions Playoffs continue, this victory positions Union as a strong contender, with their sights firmly set on the title.
