Union Have to Settle for a Draw Against OH Leuven

At the Joseph Marien Stadium, Union had to settle for a 1-1 draw. Opoku gave Leuven an early lead following a well-worked move. In the second half, the same Opoku inadvertently turned the ball into his own net to restore parity. Neither side could find a winner in the closing stages, and the points were shared.

Union faced OH Leuven on Sunday afternoon following an extended international break. Still unbeaten this season, the Brussels side were looking to pick up where they had left off before the break. On paper, Leuven did not look like a major obstacle, as the visitors had not beaten Union since 2021.

Leuven Strike Early

Union immediately took control of possession, but struggled against an energetic Leuven side. OHL tried to catch the hosts out twice with rehearsed corner routines, but neither effort troubled Koffi.

Against the run of play, the visitors took the lead in the 16th minute. Mirisola made his way down the right flank before slipping a superb through ball into George's path. George squared the ball across the face of goal, allowing Opoku to smash it into the back of the net: 0-1.

The Brussels side tried to fight back but struggled to create clear-cut chances. Mofokeng initiated an attacking move and Guilherme delivered a cross, but nobody could get a decisive touch on the ball. A few more promising moves followed, but none resulted in a shot on target.

Union needed to regroup at half-time, but Leuven still had two chances to double their lead before the break. On the counter-attack, Opoku proved impossible to dispossess before delivering a ball into the box. Gil made a run towards the near post and tried to turn it home, but arrived a fraction too late. A minute later, Sylla had to cut out another dangerous cross.

Union Need to Regroup

Union came out for the second half with greater confidence and attacking intent. Head coach Hubert clearly wanted to see a different side after the break. His team soon created an opportunity: following a quick transition, Biondic got a shot away, but the Leuven goalkeeper produced an excellent save to push the ball away.

Leuven responded and, on the hour mark, Patris was called into action twice. Sylla attempted to intercept a cross, but the ball fell behind him to Mirisola. The Leuven forward tried to finish first with his foot and then with his head, but Patris came to his goalkeeper's rescue on both occasions.

Hubert made changes, and substitute Florucz immediately added a threat in the final third. The Austrian received the ball, brought it under control and quickly unleashed a shot. His effort narrowly missed the post.

In the 66th minute, Union finally drew level, albeit with a slice of luck. Guilherme attempted to deliver a cross, which Vroman managed to clear. Thinking the move was over, Opoku turned away, only for the ball to bounce off his head and into his own net: 1-1.

Red Card in the Closing Stages

The Leuven players appeared to be running out of steam, allowing Union to regain the upper hand. The hosts sensed an opportunity to snatch all three points but struggled to create any real danger.

In the 91st minute, Patris went in far too aggressively on Gil and was shown a straight red card. De Roeve then had a chance to win it for Union, but took too long to get his shot away. Leuven also had an opportunity at the other end, but Pletinckx headed wide.

Union will need to bounce back quickly ahead of Thursday's Europa League clash against Real Sociedad.