Union Saint-Gilloise make Europa League quarter-finals after 3-0 win

Union Saint-Gilloise make Europa League quarter-finals after 3-0 win
Credit: Belga / Bruno Fahy

Union Saint-Gilloise's 3-0 win against Union Berlin on Thursday evening has secured them a place in the quarter-finals of the Europa League.

The Brussels team dominated their German rivals, who had previously held them to a 3-3 draw during the match's first leg. But Thursday saw the team capitalise on Union Berlin's mistakes, whose players had shown lapses in concentration, uncharacteristic of a team fourth in the German Bundesliga.

Few would have expected Union Berlin to concede as early on as they did, with USG captain Teddy Teuma scoring in the sixth minute. And though the German side dominated possession for the remainder of the first half, they failed to create any chances.

The second half then saw USG take control, with the ever-reliable Teuma turning in a man-of-the-match performance. To the joy of a home crowd, the Brussels side saw Lazare Amani score in the 63rd minute.

20 minutes later saw Union Berlin midfielder Janik Haberer sent off for his second yellow card. One man up, USG had a goal disallowed for offside before converting a third and final goal in the dying embers of the game.

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The result thrilled USG fans, despite the club's official fan group the Bhoys choosing to boycott the match. The ultras were protesting Union's decision to play the match at the home stadium of local rivals Anderlecht. The USG stadium – which does not comply with UEFA regulations.

It is not yet clear who USG will take on in the quarter-finals, though it could be European giants Juventus or Manchester United.


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