Union Saint-Gilloise announced their arrival on the European stage with a remarkable 3-1 victory away to PSV Eindhoven on Tuesday, sealing a dream start to life in the Champions League.
The Belgian champions, who ended a 90-year wait for a domestic league title last season, were making their debut in Europe’s premier competition. Few expected them to cause problems for the Dutch giants in Eindhoven, but Union delivered a performance of composure, energy and ruthless finishing that stunned the Philips Stadion.
They wasted little time in making history. With just nine minutes played, Christian Burgess – once of Portsmouth – surged into the box and was caught by Ricardo Pepi’s reckless high challenge. Referee Clément Turpin pointed to the spot, handing Union the chance to score their first-ever Champions League goal. Promise David, the Nigerian forward, kept his nerve to calmly send Matej Kovar the wrong way and etch his name into the club’s record books.
PSV sought an immediate response and came close when Ruben van Bommel clipped the crossbar midway through the half. But instead of an equaliser, the Dutch side were punished again. A loose ball in midfield fell kindly to Anouar Ait El Hadj, who drove forward with intent before unleashing a low, precise strike into the bottom corner to double Union’s lead.
That goal silenced the home crowd and left PSV looking short of ideas. Despite their possession, Peter Bosz’s team struggled to break through a disciplined Union defence, with Burgess marshalling the backline impressively.
If the hosts expected a late surge to turn the tide, Union had other ideas. With nine minutes remaining, they killed off the contest from a set piece. A corner was swung into the area and not properly cleared, allowing Kevin Mac Allister – brother of Liverpool midfielder Alexis – to scramble the ball over the line for Union’s third.
Though van Bommel gave PSV faint hope with a stoppage-time consolation, poking home from close range, it did little to mask the disappointment for the Dutch side, who had been humbled on home soil.
For PSV, the result added to recent European woes. They were thrashed 7-1 by Arsenal in last season’s round of 16 and now face an uphill battle to recover in the new league-phase format. Bosz admitted afterwards that his side “lacked sharpness in both boxes” and would need to improve quickly before facing Bayer Leverkusen on 1 October.
For Union, however, this was an unforgettable night. Once considered outsiders even in Belgian football, their resurgence in recent years has been nothing short of extraordinary. From domestic champions to European debutants, they have now announced themselves to the continent with a result that will live long in their history.
Newcastle United, who visit Union in their next Champions League fixture, will be warned: the Belgians are no longer underdogs, but serious contenders ready to write more history.
Source: Wesleyannews.com
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