Anderlecht ends the season with embarrassing defeat
MONDAY, 25 MAY 2026, 16:09 - D.A.B.
GAMES A totally uninterested and unmotivated Anderlecht turned in an utterly shameful performance this evening. They were beaten 5-1 by Union and were already 4-0 down at the interval. The Anderlecht players were no more than a collection of spectators, receiving a football lesson in every possible way—especially on a mental level. After the break Anderlecht were reduced to ten men when Hazard was sent off.
Union were content to stop at 5-0; Kanaté would later score a consolation.
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Continue reading Union started the brighter, and Anderlecht occasionally threatened—De Cat's long-range effort was one such moment. But around the quarter-hour Union switched to autopilot. They hardly had to put the pedal to the metal to pin this mentally fragile Anderlecht back against the ropes. Anderlecht surrendered huge amounts of space in midfield, which made every cross and combination further shake an already unstable defence. By the 41st minute it was 4-0 to the home side. Every duel was lost, players failed to track or cover opponents, and dangerous crosses and attempts rained in.
Immediately after the break Anderlecht were reduced to ten men—already their third red card in these Play-offs. Hazard came in late and caught Guilherme on the ankle. A sad farewell for Hazard, who has had particularly poor Play-offs.
Not long after De Ridder made his debut, Sykes headed in the customary second-post goal just before the hour to make it 5-0. Fortunately, Union decided that was enough. About fifteen minutes from time Verschaeren sent Kanaté through; the quick Malian finished neatly.
The 15-year-old Mujangi also made his debut. Anderlecht thus end the season on a low note, having conceded 23 goals in the ten matches of the Champions' Play-offs.
