Westerlo’s late drama spoils bid for fifth straight win

Under the floodlights of 't Kuipje on Saturday evening, KVC Westerlo welcomed SK Beveren for a match that turned into an eight‑goal spectacle, featuring two penalties and a red card before the final whistle confirmed a 4‑4 stalemate.

Early on Westerlo seize lead

Westerlo began with confidence, needing barely ten minutes to open the scoring. A swift passing move involving Sakamoto set up Shunsuke Saito, who struck the goalkeeper Schenk with a clinical finish. The early goal gave the home side momentum as they pressed for a second tally, with Lapage’s effort skimming the post.

Beveren grew into the game and earned a reply in the 33rd minute. Jearl Margaritha created a dangerous chance inside the box, and Moïse Kaboré timed his run perfectly to level the score. The visitors appeared poised to head for the dressing room with the equaliser, but Norman Bassette had other plans.

Beveren storm back in second half

Just before the break, Bassette capitalised on a first‑half injury‑time cross from Sakamoto, nudging the ball past Schenk to restore Westerlo’s 2‑1 advantage. The second half saw Margaritha threaten again, only to be denied by goalkeeper Jungdal. A foul on Dylan Ourega by Verschueren awarded Westerlo a penalty, which Bassette converted for his second goal of the evening.

Trainer Marink Reedijk’s substitutions of Chris Lokesa and Victor Olatunji proved decisive. Lokesa needed only minutes to make an impact, finding space in the box and beating Jungdal in the corner to put Beveren ahead 3‑2.

Westerlo responded, but Issame Charaï’s four simultaneous changes failed to stabilise the side. In the 88th minute, Jungdal mis‑judged a cross, allowing Olatunji to slot home the equaliser and force extra drama.

Dramatic finish sees 4‑4 stalemate

In stoppage time, a foul on Yang Min‑hyeok earned Westerlo another penalty. Saito stepped up, remaining ice‑cold to fire the spot‑kick home, restoring a three‑point lead. However, a heated altercation saw Reda Laalaoui sent off, leaving Westerlo with ten men.

With only minutes left, Beveren struck again. Olatunji, on a second strike, capitalised on a defensive lapse to level the match at 4‑4, sealing an unlikely draw.

The result handed Beveren their first point of the season while denying Westerlo a fifth consecutive victory and a historic 15‑on‑15 record, leaving both sets of supporters stunned by the roller‑coaster finish.