Union Saint-Gilloise won 1-3 at Anderlecht on Sunday in the 19th round of the Belgian football championship. Goals by Cameron Puertas (81st), Senne Lynen (87th) and Simon Adingra (90th) in the last ten minutes helped Union turn the game around after Fabio Silva’s opening goal (64th).
The game did not start well for the hosts, as Anderlecht found themselves down to ten men after 10 minutes when Moussa N’Diaye was shown a red card for bringing down Union's Lazare. Referee Bram Van Driessche judged that the defender had missed a clear chance on goal and showed him the red card.
Anderlecht's Moussa N'Diaye receives a red card. Credit: Belga / Tom Goyvaerts
In a very nervy first half, Union came up against an excellent Bart Verbruggen. The Dutch goalkeeper kept out attempts by Simon Adingra (22nd) and Bart Nieuwkoop (45th+7th), and in the second half by Dante Vanzeir (62nd).
In the 64th minute, Anderlecht took the lead, when Francis Amuzu crossed from the left, and Fabio Silva came up to the near post to make it 1-0 for the Mauves.
Anderlecht's Fabio Silva celebrates after scoring against Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, Sunday 08 January 2023 in Anderlecht, Brussels. Credit: Belga / Virginie Lefour
Union responded well, and the pressure would eventually pay off when the Saint-Gilles team equalised in the 81st minute, taking advantage of a moment of uncertainty on the Anderlecht side after an injury to Killian Sardella. After a cross from the left by Loïc Lapoussin, Lynen put the ball back into the box, Cameron Puertas got in, controlled it and beat Verbruggen.
Six minutes later, Union would turn the game around. Senne Lynen, fed by Puertas, struck from outside the box with the ball taking a deflection and ending up in the top corner of the goal to make it 1-2 to Union Saint-Gilloise.
Union's Senne Lynen celebrates after scoring. Credit: Belga / Tom Goyvaerts
In the 89th minute, Union would see off their local rivals in style, as Victor Boniface on a counter-attack fed Adingra, who made it 1-3 for Les Unionistes.
The win was Union’s sixth win in as many derbies since their return to the top flight last season. With 42 points, Union remains second, 7 points behind Genk, who won their game against Club Brugge (34 points) earlier in the afternoon. Anderlecht are in 11th place with 23 points.
Union players celebrate at the end of the game. Credit: Belga / Tom Goyvaerts
