Published
2026-03-07
Union win thriller against Genk and stay top of the table
A header from Burgess in his 250th match for the club and a cool finish from Zeneli after the break were enough for Union to see off Racing Genk 2-1. The Brussels side allowed Genk back into the game via a penalty, but never relinquished the three points.
Kjell Scherpen was fit again and returned between the posts, this time with Fuseini and Zeneli leading the line. The goalkeeper showed his quality within the opening minutes, when Karetsas played in Mirisola inside the box. The Brussels stopper threw his body in front of the ball and prevented an early lead for the visitors.
Union threatened for the first time in the fourteenth minute. Guilherme beat two defenders and won a corner with his run. Zeneli delivered to the near post and Burgess ran in completely unmarked to head home: 1-0. It was Burgess's goal in his 250th appearance for Union.
Racing Genk responded shortly after, but Mirisola was denied by Scherpen's leg. After that, it was Union who looked most dangerous on the counter. Guilherme failed to find the target, as did Fuseini. Late in the first half, Sykes struck from outside the box, but the Genk goalkeeper pushed the ball just wide.
Union came out strongest after the break. On the 50th minute, Zeneli doubled the lead after a slick combination between Zorgane, Ait El Hadj and Guilherme. The Swede received the ball at his feet and fired high into the net: 2-0. The Brusselers pushed for a third and Ait El Hadj thought he had scored, but was flagged offside.
Genk found a second wind after three substitutions. Steuckers played in Heymans, who shot across goal. Burgess attempted to clear but caught Mirisola on the ankle and the referee pointed to the spot. Heymans converted: 2-1. The visitors then took control of possession but could not translate it into clear-cut chances.
At the other end, Fuseini went off with a hamstring injury. Substitute Schoofs appeared to settle matters with a powerful strike, but referee Visser ruled the goal out after the ball had deflected off Biondic's elbow. In the dying seconds, Genk managed to create one final chance, but no one could get a head to the cross. Union held on to take all three points: 2-1.