On the evening of 9 August 2026, RFC Seraing produced a polished pre-season display to defeat KAS Eupen 3-1 in an international club friendly. Played in front of a decent travelling crowd and a home faithful eager to see their side’s final preparations before the new Belgian campaign, the match gave both coaching staffs plenty to reflect on ahead of competitive kick-offs.

Match Overview: Seraing Strike Confidently on the Road

Despite being the lower-ranked side on paper, RFC Seraing looked sharp from the opening whistle and took the game to their top-flight opponents. Eupen enjoyed spells of control, but it was Seraing’s efficiency in front of goal that proved decisive. The visitors opened the scoring midway through the first half, capitalised on a defensive lapse to equalise shortly after, and then pulled clear with two clinically taken second-half goals.

The final score of 1-3 paints a fair picture of the contest: Seraing created the clearer chances, pressed with discipline, and looked dangerous on the counter-attack throughout. For Eupen, the result served as a timely reminder that pre-season gloss can quickly fade when concentration drops.

Key Moments

• 18' – Seraing take the lead: A quick move down the left wing exposed Eupen’s high defensive line. The cut-back found the unmarked attacker, who slotted calmly past the home goalkeeper from the edge of the box.
• 34' – Eupen equalise: The hosts responded well, with a well-worked set-piece routine finishing with a powerful header at the near post to make it 1-1.
• 56' – Seraing retake control: Following a turnover in midfield, Seraing broke with pace. A low drive from the edge of the area beat the Eupen keeper at his second attempt after an initial save.
• 73' – Third seals it: A late substitute made an instant impact, finishing off a sweeping team move to give the visitors a commanding 3-1 cushion.

Tactical Story: Efficiency Over Possession

Eupen controlled the lion’s share of territory and completed more passes, particularly during a bright opening 25 minutes. However, their final-third decisions were often rushed, and they struggled to break down a compact Seraing block. The visitors, by contrast, were comfortable sitting off and striking on the break, using the width of the pitch effectively to isolate Eupen’s full-backs.

Seraing’s press also disrupted Eupen’s rhythm. Rather than attempting to dominate the ball, they forced turnovers in midfield and attacked with directness. That game plan proved perfect for a pre-season fixture where fitness and structure are more important than style points.

Standout Players

For the visitors, the midfielder orchestrating the press stood out, covering every blade of grass and seeing the game’s tempo change after his substitution. The wide forward who opened the scoring also caught the eye with his relentless movement and willingness to track back.

On Eupen’s side, the centre-back pairing showed moments of solidity but were caught out of position on the decisive goals. The home team’s best moment came from the equaliser, and the scorer demonstrated sharp aerial timing throughout.

Pre-Season Context and What’s Next

Friendly results are rarely a perfect indicator of a season’s trajectory, but the manner of this performance will please Seraing’s coaching staff. The away side can now head into their remaining friendly schedule with momentum and a clearer picture of their starting XI. For Eupen, this was a useful test of their mentality after falling behind with only a brief spell of control in response.

Both clubs are expected to field stronger line-ups in their next warm-up matches as the new campaign approaches. Supporters from both sides will hope their teams iron out these pre-season wrinkles before league points are at stake.