Sint-Truidense produced one of their most convincing home displays of the Belgian Pro League season, beating Zulte-Waregem 4-1 at Stayen. The scoreline reflected both STVV’s attacking ruthlessness and Zulte-Waregem’s inability to cope with sustained pressure, as a competitive first half gave way to a one-sided second period.

Match overview

Sint-Truidense set the tone early with a high line, quick ball circulation and aggressive pressing in the opposition half. The home side looked comfortable in possession and created the first clear opening when their No. 10 slipped a pass into the penalty area, forcing the Zulte-Waregem goalkeeper into a sharp save.

Zulte-Waregem responded with a compact mid-block and looked dangerous on the counter, but they struggled to keep the ball for long spells. Once Sint-Truiden regained the lead before the hour mark, the visitors were forced to open up, and the home side exploited the extra space with two further goals in the closing stages.

Key moments

• 12th minute – Sint-Truidense 1-0: The home No. 9 opened the scoring with a composed low finish after a neat cutback from the right.
• 31st minute – Zulte-Waregem equalise: A quick transition caught Sint-Truiden high, and the visitors’ No. 7 finished calmly at the near post.
• 54th minute – Sint-Truidense 2-1: The home centre-back rose highest from a corner and powered a header into the net.
• 68th minute – Sint-Truidense 3-1: The home No. 9 converted from the penalty spot after a foul on the No. 10 inside the area.
• 82nd minute – Sint-Truidense 4-1: A substitute winger sealed the win on the break, finishing low across the goalkeeper.

Tactical story

Sint-Truidense lined up with a flexible 4-2-3-1 shape that became a 4-3-3 in possession. Their full-backs pushed high, the midfield won most of the second balls, and the front four rotated constantly to drag Zulte-Waregem’s back line out of position. The pressing was especially effective in the first 20 minutes, when the visitors repeatedly lost the ball near their own penalty area.

Zulte-Waregem tried to stay compact and hit on the counter, and their equaliser showed that the plan could work when they moved the ball quickly through midfield. However, once Sint-Truiden restored their lead from a set piece, Zulte-Waregem’s shape became stretched. The away side pushed more players forward in search of an equaliser, leaving gaps that STVV exploited with fast, direct attacks.

Standout performers

The Sint-Truidense No. 9 was the obvious headline-maker with two goals, but his hold-up play and movement across the defensive line were just as important. The No. 10 was the creative hub, providing two assists and drawing the foul that led to the penalty. At the back, the home centre-back delivered a commanding display, winning aerial duels and scoring the crucial second goal.

For Zulte-Waregem, the No. 7 took his equaliser well and remained a threat on the break, while the goalkeeper made several saves that kept the score respectable. The visitors’ midfield, though, was overrun for long stretches and could not prevent Sint-Truiden from controlling the tempo.

Table impact and next steps

The three points strengthen Sint-Truidense’s push in the Belgian Pro League standings and give them valuable momentum as they look to stay in the upper half of the table. For Zulte-Waregem, the defeat highlights familiar problems away from home: defensive vulnerability from set pieces and an inability to sustain pressure when the game opens up.

Sint-Truiden will take confidence from the variety of their goals — a flowing move, a set piece, a penalty and a counterattack — while Zulte-Waregem must regroup quickly and find a more reliable defensive structure before their next league fixture.