In an international club friendly played on July 25, 2026, Borussia Mönchengladbach Women produced a dominant second-half display to thrash Racing Genk Women 6-1 at the Cegeka Arena. The match, which kicked off at 20:00, was part of both teams’ pre-season preparations, and the German side showcased their firepower in a performance that will have impressed their coaching staff.

First Half Edge

Genk started brightly and took a surprise lead in the 11th minute. Forward Lotte Van den Berg punished a defensive miscommunication, intercepting a back-pass and slashing the ball home from a tight angle. The Belgian side held the lead for much of the first period, but Mönchengladbach gradually took control. Their equaliser came in the 34th minute when midfielder Laura Marie Schmidt unleashed a fierce strike from outside the box that flew into the top corner.

Just before half-time, the visitors took the lead. Winger Nina Zimmer cut in from the left and curled a shot that deflected off a Genk defender and looped over the goalkeeper, making it 2-1 at the break.

Second Half Avalanche

Mönchengladbach turned on the style after the interval. In the 51st minute, Schmidt grabbed her second of the evening, finishing from a cross by full-back Anna Becker. The floodgates then opened. Forward Melanie Haas added a fourth in the 63rd minute with a close-range header, and Schmidt completed her hat-trick ten minutes later, slotting home after a brilliant through-ball from midfielder Svenja Schmitz.

The scoring was rounded off in the 84th minute when substitute striker Lea Wagner fired into the roof of the net from an acute angle to make it 6-1. Genk’s players looked exhausted and demoralised as the German side continued to pour forward, but the home goalkeeper, Lisa Vandevelde, made several late saves to prevent an even heavier defeat.

Standout Performers

Laura Marie Schmidt was the obvious star of the show, her hat-trick a testament to her eye for goal and ability to arrive late in the box. Winger Nina Zimmer also impressed with her direct running and an assist. For Genk, Lotte Van den Berg’s early goal was a highlight, but the team struggled to contain the visitors’ pace and movement.

Friendly Significance

While the result counts only as a pre-season friendly, the manner of the victory will give Mönchengladbach Women great confidence heading into their competitive fixtures. Genk, meanwhile, will look to learn from the defensive lapses that allowed the Bundesliga side to run riot in the second half. Both teams will continue their preparations for the upcoming domestic campaigns.