Olympic Charleroi and Habay-la-Neuve Clash Ends in Dramatic Cup Exit

A Decisive Moment in the Penalty Shootout

The match reached a critical juncture during the penalty phase with Habay-la-Neuve holding a 3-2 lead. Olympic Charleroi’s Axel Benoit stepped up for his side’s final attempt, but Habay goalkeeper Thiebault Bartholomé initially saved the shot, appearing to secure the victory for his team. However, the assistant referee intervened, ruling that Bartholomé had moved off his goal line before the kick was taken.

Benoit was granted a second opportunity to keep Olympic’s hopes alive. He attempted a “panenka”—a delicate chip down the center of the goal—but Bartholomé successfully read the play and stopped the attempt, confirming the win for Habay-la-Neuve.

Post-Match Confrontations and Red Cards

The tension that defined the final minutes of the shootout spilled over immediately after the final whistle. Both goalkeepers involved in the match, Olympic Charleroi’s Maxime Vandermeulen and Habay’s Thiebault Bartholomé, were shown red cards following a post-match altercation.

While the victory marks a significant milestone for the club from the Gaume region, the disciplinary fallout remains a notable footnote to their progression. Habay-la-Neuve now advances to the next stage of the tournament, where the club looks forward to the possibility of facing a prominent name in Belgian professional football.

Tournament Context and Next Steps

The match was part of the 32nd finals of the Belgian Cup, a tournament that frequently pits lower-division clubs against one another in early rounds before potentially introducing top-tier sides. For Habay-la-Neuve, the result provides a rare opportunity to compete against higher-ranked opponents in the upcoming round. The club has not yet announced the date or opponent for their next fixture in the competition.