De Cuyper's winner lifts Brighton past Manchester United
Maxim De Cuyper secured Brighton's 3‑2 win over Manchester United in the round of 16 of the English League Cup on Wednesday, delivering the decisive strike four minutes after coming on. Belgian captain Youri Tielemans featured the full 90 minutes for the Red Devils.
Tielemans opened the scoring in the eighth minute, threading a pass to 19‑year‑old academy graduate Shea Lacey, whose powerful finish left goalkeeper Jason Steele stranded. Mason Mount doubled Manchester United's lead two minutes later, before Charalampos Kostoulas pulled one back for Brighton just before half‑time, the assist coming from Jaouen Hadjam. The game unfolded at Old Trafford, where the home crowd roared after each goal.
De Cuyper's decisive impact
Coming on at the 66th minute, De Cuyper turned the tide, finding the net in the 70th to clinch the victory. The strike, captured in the match VIDEOS, was later confirmed by the Associated Press, underscoring the Belgian's impact on the evening. Brighton's manager praised the youngster’s composure under pressure.
Other Belgian stories
In the same round of the Coupe de la Ligue, Aston Villa beat Coventry City 3‑1, though fellow Belgian Amadou Onana remained sidelined with a knee injury sustained at the World Cup. Sports coverage noted the absence, while the match added another Belgian name to the night’s Football narrative. Manchester United’s Red Devils were left stunned by the late turnaround.
Diego Moreira, speaking after his own performance, reflected, “Là‑bas, j’ai vu ce que cela signifiait d’aimer le football,” reminding fans of the passion that drives the Diables abroad. His words capture the spirit that drives many Belgian players abroad.
Dodi Lukebakio added, “Dès le départ, il connaissait mon avis,” when discussing his move to Benfica, a sentiment echoed by many of the Les Belgian players seeking new challenges. The remark highlights the growing confidence among the Les contingent in European leagues.
With De Cuyper’s winner and Tielemans’ leadership, the Red Devils and their compatriots continue to shape the European football scene, proving the depth of Belgian talent abroad. Their performances will be watched closely as the season progresses.