Friendlies Clubs· Season 2026
Beerschot VA beat KVC Westerlo 2-0 in a behind-closed-doors pre-season friendly on 18 July, with Arnold Vula and D'Margio Wright-Phillips scoring second-half goals.
Match Analysis
AI SummaryHow it unfolded
The first half ended goalless, with both sides using the fixture primarily for fitness rather than risking an early pre-season push. The deadlock was broken after the interval when Congolese striker Arnold Vula found the net for Beerschot. Wright-Phillips, the 24-year-old forward who extended his contract with the club earlier this month, doubled the lead later in the second half to secure the victory.
According to the match data, the score stood at 0-0 at half-time before Beerschot's two second-half strikes. The fixture was one of several pre-season friendlies for both clubs as they build towards the 2026-27 Belgian Pro League campaign.
The turning point
Beerschot's opening goal in the second half forced Westerlo to push forward, leaving space in transition that Wright-Phillips exploited for the second. The match was staged behind closed doors, suggesting both coaching staffs prioritised tactical work and minutes over spectacle.
Key performers
Arnold Vula — The 27-year-old DR Congo international, who joined Beerschot in 2025, opened the scoring and continues to build chemistry with his new teammates. His movement in the box proved decisive against a Westerlo defence that had kept a clean sheet in their previous friendly.
D'Margio Wright-Phillips — The winger confirmed his fine pre-season form with a goal, coming shortly after news of his contract extension. He offers Beerschot a direct threat from wide areas.
By the numbers — interpreted
Detailed match statistics are not available for this behind-closed-doors friendly, but the 0-0 half-time scoreline suggests a measured first period, typical of early pre-season work. Beerschot's two second-half goals indicate greater intensity after the break, possibly reflecting a deeper squad rotation. Westerlo's previous friendly — a 2-0 win over Helmond Sport on 12 July — showed they can score, but they failed to create enough against a Beerschot side that has now kept consecutive clean sheets in pre-season (following a 1-0 loss to Roda JC on 17 July where they conceded only once).
What it means
This was Beerschot's second friendly in as many days, having lost 1-0 to Roda JC on 17 July. The win provides momentum ahead of their next pre-season tests. Westerlo, who beat Helmond Sport 2-0 on 12 July, suffered their first defeat of pre-season preparations.
Both sides continue their pre-season schedules ahead of the 2026-27 Belgian Pro League season. Westerlo face Dunkerque on 22 July, while Beerschot take on MSV Duisburg on the same date.
Verdict
A professional workout for both sides in a behind-closed-doors setting, with Beerschot's second-half sharpness proving the difference. Vula and Wright-Phillips gave Dirk Kuyt's side the goals their territorial play deserved. For Westerlo, this was a useful step-up in opposition after their win over Helmond Sport, with the scoreline secondary to preparation.
Rivalry since 2017
KVC Westerlo vs Beerschot VA Head to Head Results· 17
KVC Westerlo and Beerschot VA have met 17 times — KVC Westerlo won 4, Beerschot VA won 6, with 7 draws. Their rivalry dates back to 2017. Beerschot VA leads the head-to-head with 6 victories from 17 meetings. A combined 44 goals have been scored across these fixtures, averaging 2.59 per match (23 for the home side, 21 for the visitors). Both teams scored in 11 matches (65%). Over 2.5 goals landed in 9 games (53%), making it a fixture that tends to produce goals. The highest-scoring encounter finished 3–2 in 2025.
Statistics are for informational purposes only. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
API data: 21 Jul 2026