St. Truiden vs Zulte Waregem 4-1

St. Truiden beat Zulte Waregem 4-1 at Stayen after racing into a two-goal lead inside 12 minutes and pulling away again after the break. Zulte Waregem had a brief response early on, but the home side finished stronger and later benefited from a red card.

S. Shinkawa opened the scoring in the 7th minute, and N. Ishiwatari made it 2-0 five minutes later from R. Vanwesemael's assist. Z. Atrok pulled one back on 14 minutes, but St. Truiden took a 2-1 lead into half-time.

I. Sebaoui restored St. Truiden's two-goal advantage from the penalty spot on 64 minutes, and K. Matsuzawa, who had come on in the 65th minute, scored on 66 minutes from A. Sissako's assist to make it 4-1. St. Truiden made three changes on 65 minutes, with S. Bazdar, S. Shinkawa and N. Mbuku going off, and Zulte Waregem were reduced to 10 men when Y. Mbodji was sent off on 74 minutes. Zulte Waregem made two changes on 78 minutes as they tried to steady the game, while St. Truiden also changed personnel late on.

The numbers backed the home win. St. Truiden had 68% of the ball, 551 passes to Zulte Waregem's 261, and 88% pass accuracy. They also had more shots, 16-9, more shots on target, 9-2, more corners, 5-3, and a higher xG figure, 2.04 to 1.11. Zulte Waregem did record 5 saves to St. Truiden's 1.

Zulte Waregem's bookings came for Z. Atrok on 27 minutes, F. Tangala on 42 minutes and E. Lofolomo on 45 minutes. Y. Mbodji was sent off on 74 minutes.