In a gripping clash for the UEFA Europa League playoff second leg, Union Saint-Gilloise achieved a memorable 1-2 win against Ajax on February 20, 2025. However, the victory wasn't enough to keep them in the tournament, as the Brussels team fell short with a 3-2 score on aggregate, marking a bittersweet night for the Belgian side.
Union started strong, with Kevin Mac Allister finding the back of the net early. His decisive header in the 17th minute was perfectly set up by a well-placed free-kick from Sofiane Boufal, catapulting Union to an early lead. The intensity of the game heated up further when a misfortune for Ajax handed another opportunity to Union. Davy Klaassen, the Ajax captain, ended up with a red card for a handball on the line in the 27th minute, resulting in Promise David successfully converting a penalty to double the lead.
While it looked promising for Union Saint-Gilloise, Ajax wasn't ready to go down without a fight. As the match dragged into extra time, they capitalized on a foul to be awarded a penalty. Kenneth Taylor stepped up and put it away in the 93rd minute, dampening the spirits of Union supporters who saw their team's aggregate hopes fade as a third goal proved elusive.
Tough Night for Belgian Clubs
Away from the Union showdown, another Belgian side, RSC Anderlecht, also saw their Europa League journey come to an end. They were handed a robust 5-2 aggregate defeat by Fenerbahçe, showcasing a challenging night for Belgian football fans. Despite the opportunity to showcase their skills at an international level, both teams had to bow out, yet displayed commendable efforts on the pitch.
Post-match, Union manager Sébastien Pocognoli praised his players for a stellar effort and didn’t hold back his pride despite the exit. On the other hand, Anderlecht coach David Hubert acknowledged the harsh reality of the competition exit, yet emphasized the importance of moving forward with lessons learned and heads held high. It’s a night both teams will reflect on as they prepare to tackle future challenges and aim for bigger successes.
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