RSCA played against KAA Gent at Lotto Park on Sunday evening as part of the 24th matchday of the Pro League. Compared to last Thursday's trip to Mechelen, Luis Vazquez and Yari Verschaeren replaced Kasper Dolberg and Théo Leoni in the starting line-up. Young Nunzio Engwanda was on the match sheet for the first time. Sporting won narrowly after a tough battle with the Buffaloes. It was RSCA's first win against KAA Gent in five years and immediately the first three points of 2024.
Anderlecht had a good first quarter of an hour, but failed to create any chances, with the exception of a weak shot on goal by Yari Verschaeren. The visitors gradually came back into the game. The match was in balance, only after half an hour did more openings appear. A nice action by Thorgan Hazard, combined with Yari Verschaeren, almost enabled Luis Vázquez to open the scoring. Tarik Tissadouli's low effort went just wide. Moments later, Thorgan Hazard tried from the edge of the penalty area, but his shot went just wide. Just before half-time, Tsuyoshi Watanabe (just back from the Asian Cup) committed a foul on Mario Stroeykens in the penalty area, Anders Dreyer converted the penalty. 1-0 for Sporting.
In the second half, KAA Gent went in search of the equaliser, a nice shot by Daisuke Yokota flew just wide of Kasper Schmeichel's goal. Our team replied with some nice action led by Yari Verschaeren and Anders Dreyer, which Luis Vázquez could not finish after being blocked by Tsuyoshi Watanabe. Another attempt by Thorgan Hazard went just wide. Anders Dreyer also ventured an effort, but his shot did not surprise Daniel Schmidt. A few minutes before time, Kasper Schmeichel saved handsomely on an Omri Gandelman effort. From a rebound of a corner in injury time, Julien De Sart fired a powerful shot that our Danish goalkeeper could do nothing about this time, but the midfielder's goal was cancelled by VAR for an earlier foul. Despite a final rush by Gent, the three points remained in Brussels.
RSC Anderlecht |
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KAA Gent |
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