Friendlies Clubs· Season 2026
Antwerp scored three times in a 10-minute second-half spell to beat Olympiakos Piraeus 3-0 in a pre-season friendly on 24 July 2026, with Renders, Verstraeten and Somers all on target.
Match Videos
Match Analysis
AI SummaryHow it unfolded
The first half produced few clear-cut chances. Olympiakos picked up yellow cards in the 39th and 52nd minutes as their frustration grew, while Antwerp's Anthony Valencia replaced C. Mejía at half-time to add attacking impetus.
The breakthrough came in the 68th minute. S. Renders collected the ball in the box and finished calmly to put Antwerp ahead. The goal opened the floodgates: A. Verstraeten doubled the lead six minutes later (74'), and T. Somers added a third just four minutes after that (78') to make it 3-0 inside 10 minutes.
Olympiakos, who made no substitutions across the 90 minutes, offered little response. Antwerp used four changes — Valencia (46'), G. Vandeplas (66'), A. Ibrahim (66'), and Vandeplas again (71') — and kept their energy levels high late on.
The turning point
Renders' 68th-minute opener. Before that, Olympiakos had contained Antwerp despite their two first-half bookings. Antwerp's half-time change (Valencia on for Mejía) had improved their width, but it was Renders' finish — the first real moment of quality in the final third — that broke the resistance. Once ahead, Antwerp's momentum became unstoppable.
Key performers
S. Renders (Antwerp) — Named player of the match. Scored the crucial opener and led the attacking line with intelligent movement.
A. Verstraeten (Antwerp) — Doubled the lead with a well-taken finish in the 74th minute, capitalising on the space Olympiakos left when chasing the game.
T. Somers (Antwerp) — Rounded off the scoring in the 78th minute, the third goal in a 10-minute blitz that decided the contest.
By the numbers — interpreted
Antwerp's three goals all arrived between the 68th and 78th minutes — a concentrated burst that reflects a team growing into a pre-season fixture rather than early dominance. Olympiakos' two yellow cards inside the first 52 minutes suggest a side that struggled to contain Antwerp without resorting to fouls, and their decision to use zero substitutes — while Antwerp made four — may have contributed to a drop in energy levels late in the game. The clean sheet, Antwerp's first of their pre-season campaign, will be a welcome confidence builder.
What it means
This was a pre-season friendly for both sides, with the 2026-27 domestic campaigns approaching. Antwerp will take momentum from a performance that improved sharply after the break. The Belgian side's next pre-season fixture is expected in the coming days. Olympiakos, who offered little in attack after the opening hour, will look to sharpen their intensity in their upcoming friendlies.
Verdict
A scoreline that flattered Antwerp only in its speed — the win was deserved. The second-half performance, particularly the 10-minute spell, showcased attacking cohesion that Olympiakos could not match. A useful exercise for both, but Antwerp will be the happier side.
Match Events
Key match events between Antwerp and Olympiakos Piraeus — 3 goals and 3 cards recorded during the match.
Rivalry since 2021
Antwerp vs Olympiakos Piraeus Head to Head Results· 2
Antwerp and Olympiakos Piraeus have met 2 times — Antwerp won 1, Olympiakos Piraeus won 1, with 0 draws. Their rivalry dates back to 2021. A combined 4 goals have been scored across these fixtures, averaging 2.00 per match (2 for the home side, 2 for the visitors). Both teams scored in 1 match (50%). Over 2.5 goals landed in 1 game (50%), making it a fixture that tends to produce goals. The highest-scoring encounter finished 2–1 in 2021.
Statistics are for informational purposes only. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
API data: 26 Jul 2026