Published
2026-05-21
Union held to goalless draw at KAA Gent
Union were held to a 0-0 draw at KAA Gent. Kjell Scherpen saved a first-half penalty before Union created a host of chances. Biondic thought he had broken the deadlock late on, only for VAR to rule out the goal for offside.
After just three minutes, Union were given a scare from the spot. Niang caught Skoras on the head while attempting to clear a ball inside the box, and the referee pointed to the penalty spot without hesitation. Kanga stepped up but struck too centrally, and Scherpen read it well to push the ball away.
Gent continued to dominate possession. Kanga laid the ball off to Da Silva in midfield, who drove towards goal, but Van de Perre closed him down and forced the shot wide.
On the quarter-hour mark, Union threatened for the first time. Ait El Hadj played back to Zorgane, whose left-footed effort shaved the outside of the post. The visitors pushed for more: Zeneli tested Roef from range, and from the resulting corner, Burgess headed straight at the Gent goalkeeper.
Chances kept coming for Union, but the finishing was lacking. Rodriguez and Zeneli repeatedly shot too centrally or wide of the target.
Just before the break, Gent nearly broke through. Lopas played a ball in behind and Kanga arrived a fraction too late to convert. Moments later, Skoras made a run in behind and attempted a first-time effort, but his touch was too heavy.
After the restart, Gent took control. Skoras looked to catch Scherpen off his line, but the goalkeeper dealt comfortably with everything, pushing each attempt into the corner.
Substitute Biondic made an immediate impact. Ait El Hadj whipped a ball in and Biondic met it with a powerful header at his first touch, only to see it go narrowly wide. Five minutes later, a similar delivery from Ait El Hadj found Zorgane attempting a header, but he couldn't get enough on it.
Union grew into the half and Biondic was again at the heart of things. Ait El Hadj squared the ball centrally and Biondic struck first time, only for Roef to push it away. Fuseini tried his luck ten minutes from time, but fired straight at the Gent goalkeeper.
In the 86th minute, Biondic appeared to have won it. Patris crossed from the right flank, Biondic muscled between two Gent defenders and tapped home. VAR intervened, however, ruling Patris offside at the moment of the cross.
In stoppage time, Union could not find the back of the net again. Club Brugge also drew, but a four-point gap is no longer possible to overcome. As a result, we will finish the season as runners-up. Next week, we will wrap up the season with a Brussels derby at the Duden Park.