On Sunday, Sporting hosted KRC Genk for the first match of the Champions’ Play-offs at the Lotto Park. In front of their own fans, Besnik Hasi’s men were eager to respond after their defeat on the opening matchday against Club. Despite showing a different face and creating several chances, the Mauves ultimately came away empty-handed.

Trailing at halftime despite a lively start

Kasper Dolberg kicked off the match in a roaring Lotto Park, and it was the Dane who had the first big chance of the evening. One-on-one with Genk goalkeeper Mike Penders, he couldn’t keep his cool. A few minutes later, a loose ball fell to Leander Dendoncker, who didn’t hesitate and struck it full power, but the shot flew well wide. Still, Sporting had made a lively start. After ten minutes, Dolberg broke through again and slipped a good ball to Thorgan Hazard, whose hurried finish went straight into Penders’ arms. Ten minutes later, Genk threatened for the first time. Noah Sternberg made a fine move down the left and laid the ball back for the incoming Konstantinos Karetsas, but Yari Verschaeren was alert and blocked the Greek’s effort. Just past the half-hour mark, Joris Kayembe opened the scoring for KRC Genk. The left-back curled a brilliant shot from outside the box into the top corner – unstoppable. Moments later, Genk surged forward again: Sternberg cut inside and unleashed a shot, but Colin Coosemans gathered the ball in two attempts. Before halftime, the visitors had another chance through Tolu Arokodare, who volleyed a cross from Sternberg over the bar. The score remained 0-1 at the break.

Chino’s header not enough to earn points

At halftime, Yari Verschaeren stayed in the dressing room, with Majeed Ashimeru taking his place. Ten minutes into the second half, RSCA had their first real threat following a defensive error by Genk. Matte Smets played a weak back pass to his keeper, but Penders was just in time to deny Hazard a tap-in. On the hour mark, Genk got forward again. Bonsu Baah set up Sternberg, whose low effort towards the far corner went just wide. Besnik Hasi responded with a double substitution: Hazard and Angulo made way for Samuel Edozie and Luis Vázquez. The Argentine was immediately dangerous but narrowly missed connecting with a cross from César Huerta. Shortly after, Lucas Hey tried to head in a corner over Penders, but the goalkeeper just managed to push the ball away. With 15 minutes to go, Theo Leoni came on for Adryelson — and that substitution paid off. Huerta met Leoni’s corner at the near post and headed it home. With just over ten minutes remaining, the score was level again. Sporting kept pushing: Vázquez laid the ball off to Chino, but the Mexican saw his shot blocked. Genk responded through substitute Hyeon-gyu Oh, who broke behind the defense but shot straight at Coosemans. With five minutes to go, Zakaria El-Ouahdi latched onto the ball and unleashed a thunderous strike. Coosemans stood no chance: 1-2. And that’s how it ended.

Next week, Sporting heads to the Duden Park for the Brussels derby against Union Saint-Gilloise.