“Kyan Vaesen extended OH Leuven's lead to 3-0 just before the break, seemingly putting the result beyond doubt and leaving Westerlo with a mountain to climb at half-time.”
Pivotal“Just four minutes into the second half, Allahyar Sayyadmanesh pulled one back for Westerlo, giving the home side hope and signalling that the triple half-time substitution had injected new energy.”
Pivotal“Within two minutes of Sayyadmanesh's goal, Isa Sakamoto made it 2-3, sending shockwaves through an OH Leuven side who had appeared utterly comfortable moments earlier.”
Pivotal“Allahyar Sayyadmanesh stepped up to convert a penalty and level the match at 3-3, completing one of the more remarkable turnarounds in the Pro League this season and sending the Westerlo crowd into disbelief.”
Pivotal
Westerlo
OH Leuven
Outstanding performance
Westerlo•MidfielderOH Leuven looked to have put this game to bed long before the break, racing to a 3-0 lead inside 41 minutes through Abdoul Karim Traoré, Wouter George, and Kyan Vaesen, with two yellow cards already shown to add edge to an already frantic opening period. Westerlo head coach responded at half-time with a triple substitution — Heremans, Mbamba, and Patrão all introduced — and the gamble paid off almost immediately, with Sayyadmanesh pulling one back on 50 minutes before Isa Sakamoto made it 2-3 just two minutes later. The momentum had shifted entirely, and when Sayyadmanesh converted a penalty on 68 minutes to complete the comeback, the visiting OH Leuven side — who had created twice as many dangerous attacks in the first half — were left to rue their failure to see out what should have been a comfortable victory. Statistically, Westerlo edged possession at 52% and created four big chances to OH Leuven's three, but the real story was a second half that rendered the first virtually irrelevant.
How entertaining was this match?
Serhiy Sydorchuk comes on for Shunsuke Saito.
Bi Irie Fernand Goure replaces Nacho Ferri.
Seiji Kimura takes a header, but it goes wide.
Nacho Ferri's header is saved.
Bryang Kayo is on, and Wouter George is off.
Thomas Van den Keybus is substituted for Isa Sakamoto.
Youssef Maziz is on, and Kyan Vaesen is off.
Siebi Schrijvers comes on for Lukasz Lakomy.
Chukwubuikem Ikwuemesi replaces Sory Kaba.
Allahyar Sayyadmanesh takes a right-footed shot, but it misses.
Allahyar SayyadmaneshShot from Allahyar Sayyadmanesh with his right foot results in a goal.
Allahyar SayyadmaneshGoal in the penalty shootout! Allahyar Sayyadmanesh scores, bringing the tally to 3-3.
Bryan Reynolds takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Allahyar Sayyadmanesh takes a left-footed shot, but it hits the post.
Dogucan Haspolat takes a right-footed shot, but it misses the target.
Nacho Ferri's header is saved.
Allahyar Sayyadmanesh takes a shot with another body part but misses.
Isa SakamotoIsa Sakamoto scores with a left-footed shot.
Nacho Ferri attempts a header but misses the shot.
Allahyar SayyadmaneshAllahyar Sayyadmanesh scores with a header.
Lucas Mbamba-Muanda replaces Roman Neustadter.
Afonso Patrao comes on for Arthur Piedfort.
Kyan Vaesen takes a right-footed shot but misses.
The first half ends with a score of 0-3.
Kyan VaesenVAR decision: the goal is disallowed for offside against Kyan Vaesen.
Abdoul Karim Traore takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
Kyan VaesenKyan Vaesen scores with a right-footed shot.
Lukasz Lakomy takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Abdoul Karim Traore takes a left-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Henok Teklab takes a right-footed shot, but it's blocked.
Wouter George takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Lukasz LakomyYellow CardLukasz Lakomy receives a yellow card.
Wouter GeorgeWouter George scores with a right-footed shot.
Abdoul Karim TraoréAbdoul Karim Traore takes a shot with his right foot and scores.
Henok Teklab takes a right-footed shot, but it's blocked.
Kick-off! The referee is Wesli De Cremer.
