RFC Seraing 3-1 Excelsior Virton: Hosts power to Belgian Second Division victory

RFC Seraing produced a confident home performance to beat Excelsior Virton 3-1 in the Belgian Second Division on 24 October 2026, with a brace from forward Lucas Mbala helping the hosts claim all three points at the Stade du Pairay. The result gave Seraing a valuable boost in the early-season standings and underlined their attacking potential in front of their own supporters.

Match overview

Seraing set the tone from the opening whistle, pressing high and forcing Virton into a series of hurried clearances. The hosts controlled possession in the middle third and looked especially dangerous down the right, where overlapping runs repeatedly stretched the visitors’ back line. That pressure paid off in the 18th minute when Mbala finished calmly at the near post after a low cutback from the byline.

Virton responded with a more compact shape and found an equaliser in the 34th minute through Rayan Boukamir, who rose well to head home from a corner. The goal briefly changed the mood inside the stadium, but Seraing regained control before half-time and restored their lead early in the second period. A handball inside the box gave Yanis Tchoumi the chance from the penalty spot, and the midfielder made no mistake, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way.

The third goal arrived in the 82nd minute as Seraing broke quickly from a Virton attack. Mbala raced onto a through ball, held off a challenge and slotted low beyond the goalkeeper to complete his brace and settle the contest.

Key moments

• 18th minute: Lucas Mbala opens the scoring for Seraing after a sharp move down the right.
• 34th minute: Rayan Boukamir equalises for Excelsior Virton with a header from a corner.
• 58th minute: Yanis Tchoumi converts a penalty to put Seraing back in front.
• 82nd minute: Mbala seals the win with a composed finish on the counter-attack.

Tactical story

Seraing lined up with an aggressive 4-2-3-1 shape, using their midfield duo to win second balls and feed the wide attackers quickly. Their high press forced Virton to go long more often than they would have liked, and the visitors struggled to sustain possession in advanced areas. When Virton did break forward, they looked most dangerous from set pieces, which produced their only goal of the evening.

Virton’s 4-4-2 block was disciplined for long spells, but the visitors were undone by their inability to track runners in the final third. Seraing’s movement between the lines created space for shots from the edge of the box, and the penalty came from a moment of defensive panic rather than a clear-cut chance. In the closing stages, Virton pushed bodies forward in search of an equaliser, leaving gaps that Seraing exploited for the third goal.

Standout players

Mbala was the clear headline performer, with his two goals showing both poacher’s instincts and composure in one-on-one situations. Tchoumi controlled the tempo in midfield and showed nerve from the penalty spot, while Seraing’s full-backs provided constant width. For Virton, Boukamir’s aerial threat was a bright spot, and their goalkeeper made several important saves to keep the scoreline respectable.

What it means for the table

The win gives RFC Seraing a timely lift in the Belgian Second Division standings and strengthens their position heading into the next round of fixtures. For Excelsior Virton, the defeat leaves them with work to do as they look to build consistency. Seraing’s home form is beginning to look like a real asset, and if they can maintain that level of pressing and finishing, they should remain firmly in the promotion conversation as the season develops.