Verlaine vs Standard Liege

The match was barely 30 seconds old when Tobias Mohr capitalised on a defensive mix-up to slot home and give Standard the lead — the fastest goal of their pre-season campaign.

Bruny Nsimba doubled the lead on 31 minutes, rising highest to meet a rehearsed free-kick delivery. Bernard Nguene made it 3-0 two minutes later with a powerful left-footed strike, then completed his brace on 38 minutes, finishing a goalmouth scramble despite appearing to be in an offside position.

Standard led 4-0 at the break.

Head coach Vincent Euvrard changed the entire outfield at half-time, giving every squad member 45 minutes of game time. René Mitongo added the fifth on 58 minutes, turning in the rebound after a Mortensen free-kick hit the post.

Timothé Nkada produced a delicate chip for the sixth on 89 minutes, then turned provider in stoppage time, setting up Onesime Kalonji for the seventh in the 90+3rd minute.

The match was effectively over inside 30 seconds. Mohr's early goal forced Verlaine onto the back foot immediately, and the gap in class between a Belgian Pro League side and an FFA Division 3 opponent became clear within the first quarter-hour. Once Standard found their rhythm with set-piece routines — Nsimba's header from a free-kick and Nguene's quickfire double — the result was never in doubt.

• Bernard Nguene: The Cameroonian striker scored twice in a five-minute first-half spell (33', 38'), showing sharp movement and clinical finishing. His second goal came from a rebound he finished despite believing he was offside.
• Bruny Nsimba: The new signing from Dender opened his Standard account with a well-timed header from a free-kick routine (31') and was a constant threat before the break.
• Timothé Nkada: Introduced at half-time, the French forward scored a clinical chip (89') and set up Kalonji in stoppage time (90+3').
• Tobias Mohr: Opened the scoring within 30 seconds, setting the tone for the afternoon.

Standard dominated without needing to dominate possession — the 7-0 scoreline reflects efficiency rather than territorial control. Seven goals from seven different scorers highlights the squad depth Euvrard is building for the new season. No cards were issued in the match. Verlaine managed a handful of efforts — Standard goalkeeper Pirard was called into action in the 9th, 27th and 40th minutes — but never seriously threatened. The 5-3 corner count in Verlaine's favour reflects territory rather than danger.

This was Standard's first pre-season friendly of the 2026-27 campaign, and the result should be read in context: Verlaine compete in Belgium's third tier (FFA Division 3). The injury to Laurens Goemaere — the midfielder signed from Club Brugge who left the stadium on crutches with his right ankle bandaged after a 63rd-minute knock — is the main concern for Euvrard. Karamoko (ill), Mehssatou (knock), El Hankouri and Lavalée (fitness) were all rested as a precaution.

Standard's next friendly is away at Aubel on Wednesday 8 July (18:30 local).

A routine pre-season workout against vastly inferior opposition, executed professionally. The scoreline was never in doubt after Mohr's first-minute strike. The only question mark going forward is the fitness of Goemaere, whose ankle injury could disrupt his integration into the squad.