Twente vs Gent — Match Details | Betmana

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Gent

KAA Gent beat FC Twente 2-0 in the second of two pre-season friendlies in Delden, with goals from Max Dean and Abdelkahar Kadri securing the win.

Match Videos

FC Twente - KAA Gent (18-07-2026) | Highlights

Match Analysis

AI Summary

How It Unfolded

Gent controlled the opening exchanges and took a deserved lead midway through the first half. English forward Max Dean found the net in the 22nd minute, capitalising on a defensive lapse to slot home from close range. The goal stood at 0-1 going into the interval.

Twente emerged sharper after the break and created several chances. Arno Verschueren tested the Gent goalkeeper early in the second half, and Harrie Kuster headed wide from a Peixoto cross. But Gent doubled their lead in the 70th minute when Abdelkahar Kadri finished clinically to make it 0-2.

Marko Pjaca came closest to a consolation for Twente with a dangerous free kick that curled just over the crossbar in the 72nd minute, but the hosts could not find a way past Gent's defence.

The Turning Point

Gent's second goal in the 70th minute effectively killed the contest. Twente had pushed hard for an equaliser after the break — chances for Verschueren, Kuster and a spell of sustained pressure from Daouda Weidmann, Bart van Rooij and Kristian Hlynsson all came and went. Kadri's strike forced Twente to chase the game with a two-goal deficit and the Belgians managed the remainder comfortably.

Key Performers

Max Dean (Gent) — The 22-year-old English striker scored the opener and led the line effectively, holding the ball up and linking play throughout his shift.

Abdelkahar Kadri (Gent) — The Algerian midfielder scored the decisive second goal and provided energy in the final third. His movement off the ball caused problems for the Twente backline all afternoon.

Wout Weghorst (Twente) — Playing his first minutes since returning to the club, Weghorst scored in the first match (2-2 draw) but was less involved in the second game before being substituted at the hour mark.

Player of the Match: Max Dean. The opener set the tone and his all-round performance was the difference.

By the Numbers — Interpreted

Twente's 0-2 defeat in the second match contrasted sharply with the 2-2 draw in the first game earlier in the afternoon. The hosts managed several promising attacks after half-time but lacked the cutting edge that produced two goals in the opening contest. Gent, by contrast, were more efficient: two goals from two clear chances, and a clean sheet built on a disciplined defensive shape that Twente struggled to unlock.

What It Means

Both sides now turn their attention to European qualifiers. Twente host Hungarian side Ferencvárosi TC in the UEFA Europa League first qualifying round on Thursday 23 July at De Grolsch Veste. Gent travel to Ukrainian side LNZ Cherkasy in the UEFA Conference League first qualifying round on the same day. These friendlies served as the final tune-up for both clubs, and while the scoreline matters little in pre-season, Van den Brom will want his side to tighten up defensively after conceding four goals across the two matches.

Verdict

A useful workout for both sides. Gent's clinical finishing and defensive organisation gave them a deserved win, while Twente can take encouragement from spells of pressure but will need to be sharper in both boxes when competitive action starts on Thursday.