SK Beveren booked their place in the next round of the Belgian Cup with a professional 3-0 victory over Habay la Neuve on 17 October 2026. Played at the Freethiel Stadion, the tie followed the expected script, with the higher-division hosts controlling possession and converting their chances either side of half-time to avoid any hint of an upset.

Match Overview

SK Beveren entered the cup tie as clear favourites, and they played with the authority of a team determined to avoid a banana skin. From the first minute, the hosts pressed high and moved the ball quickly through midfield, forcing Habay la Neuve into a deep defensive block. The visitors, who had travelled from Luxembourg province, defended bravely in the opening exchanges, but the gulf in class eventually told.

The opening goal arrived in the 17th minute when Thibaut Van Acker met a cut-back from the right and swept the ball into the net from twelve yards. Beveren continued to dominate, hitting the post and forcing two fine saves from the Habay goalkeeper before the break. The second half brought more of the same, and Lucas Ribeiro made it 2-0 in the 54th minute with a composed finish after a driving run through the middle. Sander Coopman added a third in the 82nd minute, heading home a corner to seal the win.

Habay la Neuve never stopped working, and their goalkeeper produced a string of saves to keep the score respectable. But Beveren's control was never seriously threatened, and the cup tie ended with the hosts comfortably through to the next round.

Key Moments

• 17th minute: Thibaut Van Acker opens the scoring for SK Beveren with a first-time finish inside the box.
• 34th minute: Habay la Neuve's goalkeeper makes a superb one-handed save to deny a curling effort.
• 54th minute: Lucas Ribeiro doubles the lead with a powerful run and low shot.
• 82nd minute: Sander Coopman heads in a corner to make it 3-0.
• 90th minute: Beveren's defence keeps a clean sheet as the final whistle confirms their progress.

Tactical Story

SK Beveren lined up in a 4-3-3 formation, with their full-backs pushing high to create overloads in wide areas. The midfield trio dictated the tempo, recycling possession patiently and waiting for gaps to appear in the Habay la Neuve defence. The visitors set up in a compact 5-4-1 when out of possession, looking to frustrate and counter through quick long balls, but they struggled to retain the ball for long enough to relieve pressure.

Beveren's movement off the ball was the key difference. Van Acker and Ribeiro constantly rotated, dragging defenders out of position and creating space for late runs into the box. Habay's defenders worked tirelessly, but the constant waves of attack eventually wore them down. In the final twenty minutes, Beveren managed the game intelligently, keeping possession and avoiding unnecessary risks.

Standout Players

Thibaut Van Acker set the tone with his early goal and linked play intelligently throughout. Lucas Ribeiro was a constant menace with his direct running, while Sander Coopman capped a strong midfield display with a well-taken header. For Habay la Neuve, their goalkeeper was the standout performer, making several saves that prevented a heavier defeat, and their captain in defence showed leadership and resilience.

Cup Context and What's Next

The Belgian Cup remains a competition where lower-division clubs dream of giant-killings, and Habay la Neuve can take pride from their run to this stage. For SK Beveren, the win is a confidence boost as they balance cup commitments with their league campaign. The club has a proud cup tradition, and a deep run in the competition would add another chapter to their history.

Beveren will now await the draw for the next round, while Habay la Neuve return to league action with the experience of testing themselves against professional opposition. The 3-0 scoreline reflects the gap between the sides, but the visitors' effort and organisation ensured the tie was played in a competitive spirit.