KAS Eupen produced a sharp and clinical display to beat Racing Genk 3-1 in an international club friendly at Cegeka Arena on Thursday evening, turning a competitive contest into a convincing victory with a strong second-half performance.

Match overview

Racing Genk began the match with a blend of senior players and academy prospects, and the home side initially looked the more assertive team in possession. Genk moved the ball quickly through midfield and tried to stretch Eupen with wide rotations, but the visitors defended with discipline and grew into the game as the first half wore on.

KAS Eupen were sharper in transition and more decisive in the final third. Their pressing forced Genk into several hurried passes, and once they took the lead, they looked comfortable defending their advantage and attacking the space left behind by Genk’s advancing full-backs.

Key moments

• 14th minute: KAS Eupen took the lead when Isaac Nuhu cut in from the right and curled a low shot beyond the Genk goalkeeper.
• 29th minute: Racing Genk equalised through Jarne Steuckers, who finished calmly after a neat exchange on the edge of the penalty area.
• 52nd minute: Eupen restored their advantage when Regan Charles-Cook latched onto a loose ball and drove a powerful strike into the bottom corner.
• 71st minute: Nuhu grabbed his second of the night, finishing off a fast counterattack after Genk had committed numbers forward.
• 84th minute: Genk pushed for a route back into the game and forced a sharp save from the Eupen goalkeeper, but the visitors held firm.

Tactical story

Eupen’s 4-2-3-1 shape proved effective both with and without the ball. Out of possession, they pressed in midfield and denied Genk clean access to central areas. With the ball, they looked to release Nuhu and Charles-Cook into space, and that direct approach paid dividends as the match opened up after the break.

Racing Genk controlled spells of possession but lacked rhythm in the final third. The home side’s build-up was patient, yet Eupen’s compact block forced them into sideways passing. Genk improved after making substitutions, but the changes also disrupted their fluency, and Eupen punished the spaces that appeared as the home side chased the game.

Standout players

Isaac Nuhu was the standout performer for KAS Eupen, scoring twice and constantly threatening with his movement between the lines. Regan Charles-Cook added energy and end product, while Eupen’s midfield duo worked tirelessly to disrupt Genk’s rhythm and launch counterattacks.

For Racing Genk, Jarne Steuckers was the brightest attacking outlet and took his goal well. Bryan Heynen brought experience and composure in midfield, but the home side will be disappointed with the ease with which they conceded the second and third goals.

What the result means

As an international club friendly, there were no points at stake, but the result still carries value for both sides. KAS Eupen will take confidence from a strong attacking display and a disciplined defensive effort as they continue preparations for their domestic campaign. Racing Genk, meanwhile, will use the match as a learning exercise, particularly in relation to their defensive transitions and the space they allowed behind their full-backs.

The 3-1 scoreline flattered Eupen slightly in terms of territory, but not in terms of finishing. Genk had their moments, especially in the first half, yet Eupen’s greater cutting edge in the final third made the difference. Both coaches will have gathered useful information from the fixture, with Eupen leaving Cegeka Arena with the bragging rights and a morale-boosting win.