MSV Duisburg vs Beerschot VA

MSV began brightly. Jakob Bookjans rattled the crossbar with a free-kick from 16 metres, and Peter Remmert was on hand to volley the rebound home for a 1-0 lead in the 13th minute.

Two minutes later, Bookjans was fouled in the box and stepped up to take the penalty himself — but saw his spot-kick saved by Beerschot goalkeeper Stevens. It proved a costly miss.

Beerschot capitalised immediately. Bas van den Eynden levelled in the 16th minute, and Genki Haraguchi put the Belgian side ahead in the 24th. Mohamed Anas Haj (38') and Arnold Vula (41') struck twice more before half-time, leaving MSV trailing 4-1 at the break.

Hirsch made all 11 substitutions at half-time — a planned rotation — and switched to a 3-4-3 formation. The second-half XI, featuring Tyger Lobinger and Florian Krüger (facing his former club), looked sharper. Lobinger pulled one back in the 83rd minute after a long ball forward, but the damage was done.

Beerschot also made 10 changes at the interval, keeping only goalkeeper Stevens on the pitch.

Bookjans' missed penalty in the 14th minute, just seconds after Remmert's opener, was the decisive moment. Had MSV gone 2-0 up, the game's complexion would have shifted entirely. Instead, Beerschot scored 30 seconds later and never looked back.

• Genki Haraguchi (Beerschot VA): The experienced Japanese midfielder scored the crucial second goal and dictated play from midfield. His movement unsettled the MSV defence throughout the first half.
• Arnold Vula (Beerschot VA): Capped an impressive first-half display with his side's fourth goal in the 41st minute, showing sharp finishing.
• Tyger Lobinger (MSV Duisburg): A bright spot in the second half, the forward scored a well-taken goal in the 83rd minute and created several chances alongside Krüger.
• P. Remmert (MSV Duisburg): Scored the early opener with a composed finish from Bookjans' crossbar rebound.

Player of the match: Genki Haraguchi (Beerschot VA)

The scoreline tells a tale of two halves. MSV's first-half XI, which had played together in previous friendlies, were overrun by a Beerschot side treating this as a competitive sharpener. The 1-4 half-time score reflected four goals conceded in a 25-minute spell (16'–41'). The second-half XI, entirely swapped, restored some parity — MSV had more possession and created multiple chances, with Lobinger and Krüger combining well. Lobinger's 83rd-minute goal was a deserved reward for the improved display.

Beerschot made 10 changes at the break, and MSV's second-half dominance (though ultimately unrewarded beyond the one goal) suggests the deeper squad held their own against a rotated Belgian side.

This was MSV Duisburg's first defeat of the 2026/27 pre-season after wins over SC St. Tönis (4-1, Niederrheinpokal) and earlier friendlies. Hirsch's side now face a stiffer test on Saturday (25 July, 15:00) away to 2. Bundesliga side Arminia Bielefeld, where only 1,000 spectators are permitted. Beerschot continue their pre-season programme with a fixture against Asteras Tripolis on 25 July.

A first-half lesson for MSV Duisburg against a well-organised Beerschot side. The second-half recovery offers encouragement, but defensive transitions were alarmingly exposed. Hirsch will have plenty to work on before the 3. Liga season begins.