Early Breakthrough Sets the Tone for Les Loups
Playing under considerable pressure in front of their home supporters, the hosts wasted little time establishing control. Just seven minutes into the match, Isah opened the scoring for La Louvière by beating two defenders before finishing past the visiting defense to make it 1-0. The early strike energized the home side, who nearly doubled their advantage in the 14th minute when Zsombor Gruber missed a close-range opportunity.
Their best moment before the break came from a Brecht Dejaegere free kick that nearly resulted in an own goal by La Louvière defender Patrick Nkoa in the 35th minute. However, the home side quickly restored order when Shaquil Delos delivered a precise service that Isah converted for his second goal of the night in the 37th minute, bringing the score to 2-0.
Managing the Second Half and Securing the Points
Trailing by two goals, Courtrai manager Michiel Jonckheere introduced a triple substitution at halftime in an attempt to alter the tactical setup. While the visiting Kerels enjoyed a brief spell of possession and territory after the interval, the La Louvière defense held firm without major alarms. Goalkeeper Marcos Peano and his backline absorbed the pressure cleanly, preventing any genuine breakthrough from the visitors.
The result was put beyond doubt in the 85th minute. Following a clearance from Peano, Courtrai goalkeeper Gunnarsson rushed out of his penalty area but completely misjudged a headed clearance attempt. The bouncing ball eluded him entirely, allowing Filet to capitalize on the defensive miscue and tap into an empty net to seal the 3-0 scoreline.
Managerial Reaction and Historical Echoes
Speaking after the final whistle, La Louvière manager Edward Still expressed satisfaction with the outcome while keeping his squad grounded. “Le réveil est toujours plus facile après une victoire,” Still remarked, while acknowledging that the team avoided getting carried away by the margin of success. Earlier, the coach admitted that the burden on the squad had been palpable, stating plainly, “On ne va pas se mentir, la pression est là!”
The victory arrived exactly one year to the day after La Louvière celebrated a memorable triumph against Club Brugge at the same venue on September 13, 2015. For a squad looking to establish consistency in the top flight after returning to the elite, this clean sheet and comprehensive display provide a crucial psychological boost heading into the next round of fixtures.
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