Club Nxt and Sporting Hasselt produced a seven-goal thriller in the Belgian Second Division, with Sporting Hasselt emerging 4-3 winners after a dramatic late breakthrough. The match swung repeatedly, combining the youthful energy of Club Nxt with the ruthless finishing of an experienced Hasselt side.

Match overview

Club Nxt started with intent and dominated possession for long spells, but Sporting Hasselt were more clinical in the final third. The visitors struck first, only for Club Nxt to respond, and the pattern repeated throughout an open contest. Hasselt’s ability to score at key moments ultimately made the difference, especially after Club Nxt had fought back to level the score at 3-3.

Club Nxt finished with 55% possession and 18 shots to Hasselt’s 14, but the visitors made better use of their chances. Hasselt’s direct running and quick combinations in the box consistently troubled a young Club Nxt defense, while the home side’s best moments came through patient build-up and energetic pressing.

Key moments

• 7’ — Sporting Hasselt take the lead: A quick break down the right ended with a low cross and a close-range finish.
• 19’ — Club Nxt equalize: Noah De Ridder cut inside from the left and curled a fine effort into the far corner.
• 33’ — Hasselt restore their advantage: Jasper Mertens scored his first of the night after reacting fastest to a loose ball in the box.
• 41’ — Club Nxt level again: A well-worked passing move opened up the Hasselt defense, and the home side finished clinically from inside the area.
• 55’ — Hasselt score a third: Mertens added his second with a composed finish after a turnover in midfield.
• 72’ — Club Nxt make it 3-3: De Ridder grabbed his second, finishing a flowing counterattack with a low strike.
• 86’ — Hasselt win it late: A set-piece delivery caused confusion in the Club Nxt box, and the visitors pounced to score the decisive fourth goal.

Tactical story

Club Nxt approached the game with the confidence of a development side comfortable in possession, using short passes to draw Hasselt forward before looking for gaps behind the midfield. Their equalizers came from exactly that pattern: patient circulation followed by a decisive final pass. However, the home side’s high defensive line was exposed repeatedly by Hasselt’s direct running and quick transitions.

Sporting Hasselt were happy to concede possession in less dangerous areas and strike quickly when they won the ball. Their midfield pressed aggressively, forcing turnovers that led to several clear chances. The late winner came from a set piece, but it was a reward for Hasselt’s willingness to attack until the final whistle. Club Nxt will rue missed opportunities, especially during their strongest spells either side of half-time.

Standout performers

• Jasper Mertens (Sporting Hasselt): The forward scored twice and was a constant threat with his movement and finishing inside the box.
• Noah De Ridder (Club Nxt): The young attacker scored twice and was the home side’s most dangerous player throughout.
• Sporting Hasselt’s midfield: Their pressing and quick ball recovery gave the visitors the platform for repeated counterattacks.
• Club Nxt’s goalkeeper: Despite conceding four, he made several important saves that kept the home side in the contest until the late winner.

What it means for the Belgian Second Division

The win gives Sporting Hasselt an important three points in the Belgian Second Division and reinforces their reputation as a side capable of scoring from a variety of situations. For Club Nxt, the defeat is a learning experience for a young group that showed plenty of attacking quality but lacked the defensive composure to protect key moments. The result adds another entertaining chapter to the division’s season and underlines how competitive the second tier can be.