Union Saint-Gilloise now sits fourth in the UEFA Europa League table with 10 points from four matches after rallying from behind to beat Celta de Vigo 2-1 in Spain on Thursday, November 5, 2026. Besfort Zeneli scored both goals for the Brussels side, and goalkeeper Hervé Koffi preserved the lead through a tense final quarter-hour, Sporza reported. The Belgian Cup winner celebrated the away victory at the Estadio de Balaídos in Vigo.
The result lifts Union to 10 points out of a possible 12, with only Benfica, Bournemouth and Ferencváros ahead of them in the league phase standings, according to BRUZZ. Before the match, Opta had ranked Union as the fourth-biggest favorite to win the entire competition, a projection Sporza called bold but one that no longer looks far-fetched halfway through the league phase. The victory also gave Union 10 points from four matchdays.
Zeneli’s brace turns an early deficit into a lead
Celta struck first on their own turf. In the 12th minute, Pablo Durán beat Massiré Sylla and slotted the ball low into the far corner for a 1-0 lead, Sporza reported. BRUZZ described Durán’s finish as going into the far corner after Sylla was beaten too easily. Union had started the match on the front foot, threatening through Kevin Rodríguez and Louis Patris, but conceded at Celta’s first opportunity. Celta failed to extend their lead after the opener.
Union needed a response, and Adem Zorgane provided it. Zorgane played a splitting pass that put Zeneli through to score the equalizer in the 35th minute. The Swede scored the equalizer past Celta goalkeeper Radu, making it 1-1 before halftime. Zeneli took the ball cleanly out of the air before finishing calmly.
Four minutes after the restart, Zeneli completed the comeback. After a one-two with Kevin Rodríguez, he fired low past Radu to make it 1-2 in the 49th minute, a goal confirmed after a VAR check for offside, Sporza reported.
Koffi stands tall as Celta press for an equalizer
Celta brought on Iago Aspas and Ilaix Moriba at the hour mark and increased the pressure, but Koffi repeatedly kept Union in front. He saved efforts from Durán and produced a double save around the 77th minute — first a one-on-one stop after Louis Patris was beaten, then a parried effort from Aspas. Javier Rueda appeared behind Nikky Havenaar but finished the move sloppily. Carreira saw a shot go just wide, and around the hour Louis Patris made a last-ditch intervention to deny Iago Aspas. Forty seconds later Carreira advanced again but his effort missed, while Celta left a big chance in the box unused.
Durán nearly found a second goal in the 68th minute, curling a shot just wide after turning Sylla, Sporza reported. Durán failed three times to beat Koffi on the night. Koffi then made a spectacular reflex save in a one-on-one with Rueda.
VAR review triggers penalty call
Zeneli stepped up looking for a hat-trick but pushed his effort straight into Radu’s hands in the 81st minute, Sporza reported. The miss meant the score stayed 1-2. The referee awarded the penalty after a VAR check three minutes after an intervention on Mofokeng that initially seemed innocuous.
Ross Sykes, brought on in the 82nd minute, headed a Ferran Jutglà effort off the line in the 92nd minute, and the defense cleared several more close-range efforts before the final whistle after five minutes of added time, Sporza reported. Union defended a series of corners in the closing stages.
Where Union stands in the Europa League table
Only Benfica, Bournemouth and Ferencváros have more points, BRUZZ noted.
Lech Poznan and Genk next on Union’s calendar
Union’s next Europa League-phase match is at home to Lech Poznan of Poland on November 26, 2026, BRUZZ reported. Before that, on Sunday, Union host KRC Genk in the Belgian league at their own Duden Park stadium, BRUZZ added.
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