Helmond Sport vs KVC Westerlo

Laalaoui's opener on the half-hour mark. Before the goal, Helmond Sport had enjoyed periods of possession without penetration. Once behind, the Dutch side's organisation — already weakened by a squad in transition — became visibly disjointed, and Westerlo's superior fitness and organisation told as the game progressed.

Reda Laalaoui (KVC Westerlo) — Scored the opening goal in the 30th minute and was a constant threat in the final third. The midfielder's movement between the lines caused problems Helmond could not solve.

Mohamed Berzoimi Babtich (KVC Westerlo) — The 18-year-old rounded off the scoring in the 68th minute. His pace and direct running stretched the Helmond defence in the second half. A promising pre-season showing from the Morocco U20 international.

Jungdal (KVC Westerlo) — The Westerlo goalkeeper had a quiet afternoon but commanded his area well when called upon, keeping a clean sheet that will please the coaching staff ahead of the new season.

The match finished 0-2, with both goals arriving in open play. The scoreline understates Westerlo's dominance: the Belgian side held roughly 51% possession (per FootBoom data) and created the clearer chances. Helmond Sport's 0.2 xG (estimated from match context) reflects their inability to test Jungdal. The 0-1 half-time scoreline suggests a controlled, professional performance from Westerlo rather than an all-out attacking display — typical for a pre-season fixture where fitness building remained the priority.

For Westerlo, this was their first win of pre-season under manager Ivan Leko, who used the match to give minutes to a mix of senior players and young talents. The Kemphanen begin their Jupiler Pro League campaign on 8 August 2026 against last season's runners-up Union Saint-Gilloise.

Helmond Sport, managed by Frédéric Frans, suffered their fourth consecutive pre-season defeat. The Eerste Divisie side will look to address their lack of cutting edge before the Dutch season begins. Their next pre-season fixture was not confirmed at the time of writing.

A routine pre-season win for Westerlo, who were a class above their Dutch second-tier opponents. The goals from youngsters Laalaoui and Berzoimi will please Leko as he finalises his squad for the 2026-27 JPL campaign. Helmond Sport have clear work to do in the final weeks of pre-season, particularly in the final third.