Francs Borains kicked off their pre-season friendly campaign with a dominant 3-0 victory over Royal Union Tubize-Braine on 24 July 2026, showcasing their attacking intent and defensive solidity at the Stade Robert Urbain. The match offered an early glimpse into the squad's preparations for the upcoming Belgian National Division 1 season.

Playing in front of a modest but vocal crowd, Francs Borains controlled the tempo from the outset. The home side pressed high and moved the ball quickly through midfield, catching Tubize-Braine off guard with their intensity. The visitors, who compete in the Belgian third tier, struggled to cope with the pace and movement of the Francs Borains attack.

Key Moments

The opening goal arrived in the 12th minute when Jonathan Hendrickx latched onto a through ball from Mathieu Cornet and slotted calmly past the Tubize goalkeeper. Francs Borains doubled their lead just before the half-hour mark through a set-piece routine: a corner was headed back across goal by Liam Van der Heyden and Tom Vliers volleyed home from close range.

The second half saw Francs Borains continue to dominate possession, but they had to wait until the 71st minute for the third goal. Substitute Arno Dierckx cut inside from the right wing and unleashed a curling shot that beat the keeper at his near post, capping a fine individual performance.

Tactical Analysis

Francs Borains coach Arnaud Godfriaux deployed a 4-2-3-1 formation that allowed his full-backs to push high and create overloads in wide areas. The midfield pivot of Jellert Van Landschoot and Nicolas Decuyper provided a solid base, enabling the attacking midfielders to roam freely. Tubize-Braine, by contrast, looked disjointed and failed to create any clear-cut chances, managing only one shot on target throughout the 90 minutes.

Player of the Match

Mathieu Cornet was influential throughout, not only providing the assist for the opening goal but also constantly linking play and drawing fouls. His work rate and technical quality stood out in a performance that will encourage the Francs Borains supporters ahead of the league season.

Looking Ahead

Francs Borains will view this friendly as a useful exercise in building match fitness and fine-tuning their tactical approach. The clean sheet will please the coaching staff, while the three goals demonstrate a clinical edge that can serve the team well in competitive fixtures. Union Tubize-Braine will need to regroup and address defensive frailties if they are to improve in their next pre-season outing.