Anderlecht defeated La Louviere 2-1 with a stoppage-time goal ahead of their Europa League third qualifying round second leg against PAOK. The victory came in the opening match of the Belgian league season just days before hosting the Greek team in Brussels.
PAOK suffered a 0-1 defeat at Toumba in the first match and must complete a comeback in Brussels to advance to the Europa League play-offs and reach the League Phase. Alessio Lisci's team continues its preparation to face an opponent with boosted morale after securing the league win under pressure.
Match events and team lineup
La Louviere took the lead in the 54th minute with a goal by Issa. Ito received a red card in the 59th minute, leaving La Louviere with ten men and giving Anderlecht a numerical advantage. N'Gba Kana equalized for Anderlecht in the 69th minute before Bertaccini scored the winning goal in the 92nd minute following a prolonged attack.
Anderlecht started with Coosemans, Maamar, Augustinsson, Biancone, Petro, Kana, Ambros, Saliba, Cvetkovic, N'Gba Kana, and Degreef. Augustinsson was replaced by N'Diaye in the 58th minute, Saliba by Sikan in the 58th minute, N'Gba Kana by Bertaccini in the 79th minute, Degreef by Adman in the 79th minute, and Kana by Kombiela in the 89th minute.
