On the 24th matchday of the Jupiler Pro League, the Purple & White Visited Sclessin for what turned out to be a thrilling Clasico. RSCA took three goals on corners, but Sofiane Hanni also scored three times. Josué Sá, Dennis Appiah, Sofiane Hanni and Albert Sambi Lokonga returned to the starting line-up in comparison with the draw against Waasland-Beveren. The latter played his brother, Paul-José Mpoku.
The match started in smoky circumstances because of a few of the home fans’ little smoke bombs. The smoke had only just gone and the home team took the lead: Orlando Sá was alone at the far post and scored the 1-0. Standard was dangerous, but after 12 minutes Kums sent away Appiah on the right wing, and he passed the ball perfectly to Sofiane Hanni: 1-1. After 24 minutes, Christian Luyindama took the lead again for the home team via a corner, the defender scored with a bicycle kick. Mpoku was close to scoring the 3-1, but Sels made a great save on the free kick by Sambi Lokonga's brother. On the other side, Sofiane Hanni turned the tide in two minutes’ time. On a nice pass by Saief, he scored his second goal, right after which he took advantage of a bad pass back by Fai to outsmart Ochoa and score the 2-3, which was also the half-time score.
Standard did not plan to give up and came out of the changing room with a lot of motivation. Cimirot seemed to be scoring during his debut, but referee Delferière (justly) disallowed the goal because of offside. A few minutes later on, the score did become 3-3, again after a corner. Christian Luyindama scored his second of the night. Both teams went looking for the winning goal but goalies Sels and Ochoa were both ready. The biggest opportunity was one by substitute Ganvoula, but his header, on a good centre by Saief ended up in the hands of Ochoa. An exciting and crazy Clasico with six goals and a lot of action, but no winner. As a result, RSCA remains in third place, one point behind Sporting Charleroi. Next weekend, they will take on the last in the competition, KV Mechelen, at home.
RSCA : Matz Sels, Dennis Appiah, Josué Sá, Uros Spajic, Kenny Saief, Sven Kums, Adrien Trebel (78' Francis Amuzu), Leander Dendoncker, Pieter Gerkens (78' Silvère Ganvoula), Albert Sambi Lokonga & Sofiane Hanni
Goals : 6' Orlando Sá (1-0), 14' Sofiane Hanni (1-1), 24' Christian Luyindama (2-1), 41' & 44' Sofiane Hanni (2-2 & 2-3), 63' Christian Luyindama (3-3)
