Friendlies Clubs· Season 2026
Royal Antwerp beat Sporting Hasselt 2-0 in a pre-season friendly on 19 July 2026. Thibo Somers and Gerard Vandeplas scored either side of half-time in Hasselt.
Match Videos
Match Analysis
AI SummaryHow it unfolded
Both sides created early chances in an open start, with Sporting Hasselt showing they were not overawed by the step up in class. The deadlock arrived in the 29th minute when Hasselt defender Mathisse Dassen played a short back-pass that Thibo Somers read immediately. The Antwerp forward rounded goalkeeper Milo Roekaerts and slotted into the empty net.
Antwerp had to reshuffle before half-time when Daam Foulon, the left-back, went down injured and was replaced by Ibrahim in the 37th minute. Het Nieuwsblad reported the injury as a possible muscle strain.
Hasselt emerged brighter after the break and enjoyed a dangerous spell in search of an equaliser. Tuur Dierckx — the former Antwerp midfielder now playing for Hasselt — continued to probe from midfield, but the home side could not find a finishing touch.
Antwerp sealed the result in the 72nd minute from the penalty spot. Substitute Mukhammadali Urinboev, introduced on 62 minutes, was brought down inside the area, and Vandeplas stepped up to convert the spot-kick for 0-2.
The turning point
Somers' 29th-minute opener, capitalising on Dassen's misplaced back-pass, forced Hasselt to chase the game. For a side that had only just won promotion to the Challenger Pro League, pushing forward against top-flight quality left gaps that Antwerp's sharper technical edge could exploit. The visitors never looked back.
Key performers
- Thibo Somers (Antwerp): Alert movement and a cool finish to punish the defensive error. His 29th-minute goal was the game's defining moment. The 26-year-old midfielder, who joined Antwerp from Cercle Brugge, scored 4 goals in 29 appearances for the Great Old in the 2025/26 Pro League season.
- Gerard Vandeplas (Antwerp): A constant threat through the middle and ice-cool from 12 yards for the second goal. The 19-year-old forward is one to watch in pre-season.
- Daam Foulon (Antwerp): Solid before his early exit; his potential injury is a concern for Antwerp with the new season approaching.
Player of the match: Thibo Somers — his goal changed the game's complexion inside 30 minutes.
By the numbers — interpreted
The provider data recorded 59% possession for Antwerp against 41% for Hasselt, reflecting the visitors' control without needing top gear. Antwerp's two goals came from two distinct phases — a defensive error punished in the first half and a penalty won by a substitute in the second. The absence of cards on either side suggests a clean, professional friendly typical of early pre-season. Hasselt's most dangerous spell arrived in the opening stages of the second half, but Antwerp's defensive shape held firm.
What it means
For Sporting Hasselt, this was a valuable barometer against top-flight opposition. The Limburgers earned promotion to the Challenger Pro League (Belgian second tier) via a successful title win in the Belgian National Division 1 and a subsequent licence appeal. They will open their league campaign on 14 August 2026 against Dender.
For Royal Antwerp, the result extends a solid pre-season build-up under interim coach Faris Haroun. The Great Old face Olympiakos at the Bosuil on 24 July 2026 in their next friendly, before travelling to face Leyton Orient on 2 August. The club is also awaiting a permanent head coach appointment following the recent takeover.
Verdict
A professional, low-intensity workout that told Antwerp more about their squad depth than their readiness for the season ahead. Somers and Vandeplas took their chances; Hasselt got an honest look at the level required. The Foulon injury is the one outcome Antwerp will hope is not serious.
Report based on provider data, VoetbalPrimeur.be, Voetbalkrant.com, Het Belang van Limburg and Gazet van Antwerpen coverage.
Match Events
Key match events between Sporting Hasselt and Antwerp — 2 goals and 0 cards recorded during the match.
Statistics are for informational purposes only. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
API data: 21 Jul 2026