RSC Anderlecht suffered a 1-0 defeat against Dinamo Zagreb in the UEFA Europa League on October 15, 2026, conceding a decisive penalty in the sixth minute of stoppage time at Maksimir Stadium. Le Soir reported that the late concession left the Belgian side empty-handed after a competitive European fixture on foreign soil. For the RSC Anderlecht, this trip to Croatia already shaped up as a decisive fixture where taking a point or winning away would allow Vitor Bruno’s men to ideally relaunch themselves in this European campaign before upcoming home matches, though the team needed to show a vastly different face than the one displayed for 85 minutes against Cercle the previous weekend. Nationally, the Croatian hosts entered the match sitting 3rd in their domestic championship, though they remained on a painful defeat against league leaders Hajduk Split (2-1).
Maksimir Stadium Stoppage-Time Heartbreak
Franjo Beljo stepped up in the 96th minute and struck the ball down the middle past goalkeeper Colin Coosemans, sealing the 1-0 victory for the Croatian hosts. DHnet noted that the late concession was particularly agonizing for Vitor Bruno’s squad, who had generated multiple scoring chances over the course of the ninety minutes. Following three minutes of announced stoppage time, a corner was cleared by Dominguez to find Beljo, before Tiziano Bertaccini produced a great defensive tracking back to win the ball back in the 89th minute.
Missed Opportunities and First-Half Woodwork
Anderlecht will harbor significant regrets regarding their lack of clinical finishing in Zagreb. During the first half, the visitors struck the woodwork twice, while after the interval, a well-orchestrated team move allowed Mats Winkler to curl a dangerous effort that demanded a sharp save from the opposing goalkeeper in the 55th minute. Later in the second half, an effort from Asgaard could have delivered the visitors in the 79th minute without success. At the other end, defender Barry produced a crucial sliding interception in the 81st minute to deny Beljo during a one-on-one situation, preserving parity before the late penalty drama.
Standings Implications in the Europa League League Phase
The result leaves Anderlecht without a point after two matches in the expanded league phase, compounding their opening 2-1 defeat at home against Olympique Lyonnais. Meanwhile, Dinamo Zagreb secured their first victory of the tournament following a scoreless draw (0-0) against Hapoel Beer Sheva in mid-September. The Belgian club now faces a high-stakes fixture next week against Jagiellonia Białystok, which already assumes the proportions of a crucial turning point for their continental campaign.
Lineups and Tactical Changes in Zagreb
For the fixture in Croatia, Anderlecht deployed Coosemans in goal, supported defensively by Barry, Andrew Omobamidele, Léo Pétrot, and Reabciuk. In midfield and attack, the lineup featured the likes of Tristan Degreef, Mario Stroeykens, and Winkler. Head coach Vitor Bruno utilized his bench late in the match in the 86th minute, making position-for-position changes by taking out Stroeykens and Winkler for Amane and Antman as he played his final cards. The incoming Anderlecht substitutes brought a positive impact for the Mauves, with a nice move from Bertaccini leading to a won corner.
UEFA Europa League Schedule Context
With consecutive defeats in the league phase, Anderlecht’s path to the knockout rounds requires a swift reversal of form.
More on Dinamo Zagreb
Related reading
