Published
2025-12-06
Union drop first home points of the season against Gent
Union Saint-Gilloise were held to a 1-1 draw by KAA Gent. The visitors capitalised on a mistake by Burgess, allowing Samoise to score the opener. In the second half, Union pushed hard to avoid defeat. Mac Allister’s equaliser salvaged a point, but in the closing stages they couldn’t force a winning goal.
The Duden Park fell silent for the first twelve minutes, as Gent and Union supporters protested against a new football law introducing additional security checks. Both teams displayed a large banner reading: “Is dit het voetbal dat jullie willen?” and “C’est ça le football que vous voulez?”.
Union started calmly but took the initiative early on. After just two minutes, Rodriguez and Florucz combined neatly. The Austrian cut through the Gent defence and unleashed a powerful strike that smashed against the post.
Less than a minute later, Gent struck back. Burgess failed to clear the ball properly, sending it straight to Gandelman. His first effort was saved by Kjell Scherpen, but Samoise followed up to make it 0-1.
In the 11th minute, Khalaili tried his luck with his left foot, but Roef was alert. Moments later, Florucz committed a foul just outside the box, giving Gent a dangerous free kick. Kadri curled the ball towards the top corner, but Scherpen produced another excellent save.
Towards the end of the first half, Union searched for an equaliser. Ait El Hadj sent Florucz through on goal, and the Austrian fired the ball into the net, but the goal was ruled out for offside. From a corner shortly after, Sykes struck on target, but Roef denied him.
Union came out aggressively after the break and put heavy pressure on the Gent defence. Mac Allister played Florucz in behind; he flicked the ball to Rodriguez, received it back, but once again Roef was in the way.
At the other end, Mac Allister brought down Goore just outside the box. Another dangerous free kick for Gent: Kadri aimed directly at goal, but Scherpen prevented a second Gent goal with a strong stop.
Union finally found the breakthrough in the 77th minute. Khalaili’s shot was saved by Roef, David kept the ball alive, and Mac Allister tapped it in. VAR took a long look at possible handball, but the goal stood: 1-1.
In the dying moments, Union pushed hard for all three points, but couldn’t find an opening. The Brussels side thus drop their first home points of the season.