In a tense and crucial UEFA Europa League (UEL) clash at De Grolsch Veste, Royale Union Saint-Gilloise (USG) secured their first campaign win, edging FC Twente 1-0. The win was much-needed for both teams, who entered the match desperate for points after a challenging start to their respective campaigns. This defeat deepened their struggles for FC Twente, leaving them winless in the competition, while USG breathed life into their European ambitions with this vital victory.
Early Drama: VAR Denies USG Opener
The match started under unusual circumstances. A smoky haze covered the pitch, causing a brief delay in kick-off. Once the match resumed, the hosts seemed disoriented, and it didn’t take long for USG to exploit their early confusion.
Six minutes into the game, USG thought they had taken the lead when Franjo Ivanović bundled the ball into the net following a dangerous cross by Ousseynou Niang. However, the celebrations were short-lived, as VAR intervened to rule the goal out for offside in the build-up. It was a cruel blow for the visitors, who had started the match with intent and high energy.
Fuseini’s Early Strike Gives USG The Advantage
Despite the setback, USG remained unfazed and quickly returned to the front foot. Just five minutes after the disallowed goal, they made no mistake. Again, Niang, orchestrator, delivered a perfectly timed through ball to Mohammed Fuseini, who coolly slotted the ball past FC Twente’s goalkeeper, Lars Unnerstall, to give the Belgians a deserved 1-0 lead.
For USG, this moment was especially significant. They hadn’t led in any of their last five UEL away matches, making this breakthrough a rare and important achievement. The away side’s early dominance was a strong statement of intent as they sought to compensate for their disappointing results.
Twente’s Struggle to Respond
Having fallen behind, FC Twente attempted to hit back quickly in the second half. They had a golden opportunity to equalize when a loose ball found Sem Steijn inside the box. However, the Dutchman’s shot sailed high over the bar, much to the home fans’ frustration.
Moments later, Twente was almost punished on the counter-attack as USG pushed forward. Ivanović found himself unmarked in front of goal, but his close-range shot was well saved by Unnerstall, who quickly reacted to deny the visitors a second goal. Despite these scares, the hosts never looked like returning to the game.
Twente’s Late Push Falls Short
As the match wore on, FC Twente piled on the pressure, pushing forward with increasing urgency, hoping to salvage something from a campaign quickly slipping away. However, despite several late attempts, including a few dangerous set-pieces, they couldn’t find the breakthrough they desperately needed.
The final whistle confirmed USG’s 1-0 victory, and Twente’s frustrations continued. They remained stuck at the bottom of the group, still searching for their first points of the competition.
USG’s Vital Victory: Hope for the Knockouts
For Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, this victory was a huge confidence booster. Moving to within one spot of the knockout play-off positions, USG has renewed hope in pursuing European glory. The win also highlighted their resilience, as they continued to fight despite a disallowed goal and a strong push from the home side. With a much-needed victory, they will now look to build momentum and climb further up the standings.
Twente’s Struggles Continue
On the other hand, FC Twente’s continued poor form in the UEL has seriously jeopardized their hopes of progressing into the knockout stages. Their inability to convert chances, especially in crucial moments, has left them with no points from their opening four matches. They will need a drastic improvement in their next encounters to turn their fortunes around and avoid an early exit from the competition.
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