Wonder goals, goalkeeping heroics and late drama in Leuven as KV Mechelen take all three points

Fans were treated to an absolute classic between OH Leuven and KV Mechelen at the Den Dreef on Saturday evening. Away side Mechelen took an early lead through Elias Coubbaut, with Daam Foulon scoring an incredible solo effort to make it 2-0. The left sided midfielder beat two men before sprinting from his own half to finish well. The home side responded in the 74th minute through Youssef Maziz, and were given a helping hand by Islam Slimani who was shown a second yellow card in the 80th minute.

However, it was in stoppage time where the drama really happened. Leicester loanee Nathan Opoku’s outrageous flick gave Leuven what looked to be a late point in the 96th minute, with substitutes Jon Thorsteinsson and Mathieu Maertens combining well on the left-hand side.

Yet almost immediately after the restart, KV Mechelen won a corner at the other end. The home sides goalkeeper Tobe Leysen flapped at the cross which was then bundled in by Guinea international Mory Konate. There was still time for the home side to launch one more attack. The ball fell kindly in the box, but that goal bound strike was well saved by Gaëtan Coucke to secure the points. This win keeps Mechelen in with a chance of winning play-off two and having a chance at European football at the end of the season.