Heracles vs Roda 5-1

Heracles beat Roda 5-1 at Polman Stadion after a first-half burst and Tristan Van Gilst's third goal after the break settled it. Roda had pulled level early from the penalty spot, but Heracles moved clear and never let go.

Van Gilst opened the scoring in the 7th minute, then Anthony van den Hurk equalised from the spot on 9 minutes. Jean-Paul N'djoli restored Heracles' lead on 25 minutes and made it 3-1 three minutes into first-half stoppage time, so the hosts went in 3-1 up.

Van Gilst made it 4-1 on 51 minutes from Manny Rodriguez Baldera's assist, then completed his hat-trick in the 68th minute with Mario Borac, who had come on in the 57th minute, providing the pass. Heracles then made two changes on 71 minutes and two more on 81 minutes, while Roda made three changes on 57 minutes as they tried to steady things after the interval. Roda had a brief spell of bookings and substitutions around the hour mark, but the scoreline was already out of reach.

The numbers backed Heracles' control. They had 58% of the ball, 577 passes to Roda's 423, 19 shots to 9 and 11 on target to 2, as well as 6 corners to 2. Roda's goalkeeper made 6 saves, but Heracles still finished with the better xG at 2.49 to 1.39.

Roda's only bookings went to Jerome Deom in the 41st minute and Mitchel Paulissen three minutes into first-half stoppage time. Heracles were not booked and there were no red cards.