Victory in Brussels thriller

This Sunday, RSCA welcomed the neighbors of RWD Molenbeek in a sold-out Lotto Park. A first derby between the two clubs in twenty years. Brian Riemer made two changes to his starting lineup. Théo Leoni replaced Mario Stroeykens and Thorgan Hazard (injured) had to make way for Alexis Flips. At the end of a real thriller, the Mauves won three points. Sporting is thus a little closer to Union, and is a few points ahead of KAA Gent.

Early in the match, a beautiful deep pass from Mats Rits found Théo Leoni, who collided with goalkeeper Théo Defourny. On the other side, an attempt by Ilay Camara missed the target during a quick attacking counter. RWDM took the lead after fifteen minutes of play through Xavier Mercier, who scored after a well-executed counterattack from a corner kick. However, the Mauves dominated the match, although without creating any real opportunities.

After half an hour, Kasper Dolberg (hit in the foot during a duel) was relieved by Luis Vázquez. The Argentinian was not far from the equalizer after a clever individual action, but the visiting goalkeeper intervened. A free kick from Xavier Mercier then narrowly missed the goal. On a cross from Théo Leoni, Théo Defourny made another great save on a Luis Vázquez header. 0-1, score at halftime.

Anderlecht also dominated the entire second half, but it had to wait until the hour mark before Thomas Delaney's header went just wide. Exactly at that moment, the coach also launched Benito Raman and Mario Stroeykens in the battle to replace Alexis Flips and Théo Leoni. Our players put more and more pressure and Thomas Delaney forced a penalty twenty minutes before the end. Anders Dreyer took responsibility and equalized, even though Théo Defourny was again close to the ball.

Our players did not take their foot off the accelerator. Sporting's attacking waves followed each other, but neither Benito Raman, nor Mario Stroeykens (shot saved on the line by Youssouf Koné), nor Anders Dreyer, nor Luis Vázquez managed to make the break. At the end of regular playing time, Ilay Camara (ex-RSCA) received a second yellow card. A not so insignificant exclusion, because Jan Vertonghen shot a perfect cross to Luis Vázquez from the left flank in injury time: 2-1 and three deserved points.

RSC Anderlecht

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  • 33. KASPER SCHMEICHEL (GK)
  • 8. ALEXIS FLIPS
    (62' MARIO STROEYKENS)
  • 12. KASPER DOLBERG
    (32' LUIS VÁZQUEZ)
  • 14. JAN VERTONGHEN ©
  • 15. LUDWIG AUGUSTINSSON
  • 17. THÉO LEONI
    (62' BENITO RAMAN)
  • 23. MATS RITS
    (88' MAJEED ASHIMERU)
  • 25. THOMAS DELANEY
  • 36. ANDERS DREYER
  • 54. KILLIAN SARDELLA
  • 56. ZENO DEBAST

RWD Molenbeek

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  • 33. THÉO DEFOURNY (GK) ©
  • 4. WILLIAM KLAUS
  • 6. PIERRE DWOMOH
    (86' ROMILDO DEL PIAGE)
  • 8. SHUTO ABE
  • 9. MAKHTAR GYEYE
  • 17. ILAY CAMARA
    (87' RED CARD)
  • 19. JONATHAN HERIS
  • 26. FELIPE ABNER
    (46' YOUSSOUF KONÉ)
  • 30. XAVIER MERCIER
    (86' NIKLO DAILLY)
  • 44. MOUSSA SISSAKO
    (75' LUIS SEGOVIA)
  • 77. JEFF REINE-ADÉLAÏDE
    (64' PATHÉ LOUP)

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YARI VERSCHAEREN
Two injury-time goals - one at the end of each half - by Verschaeren and Dreyer secured Sporting the three points and third place.