La Louvière vs Dender

Dender earned a vital away win at RAAL La Louvière in the Pro League relegation playoffs on Monday, prevailing 1-0 in a match the hosts had hoped would seal their top-flight survival. The decisive moment arrived in the 68th minute when Alireza Jahanbakhsh stepped up and coolly converted a penalty to settle the contest. Dender dominated from first to last, controlling 69% of possession and limiting their hosts to 11 shots that rarely troubled the visiting goalkeeper. Joel Ito picked up an early booking for RAAL in the 4th minute, while Yllan Okou was yellow-carded just before Jahanbakhsh's decisive spot-kick — adding to a deeply frustrating afternoon for the home side. RAAL La Louvière had arrived knowing a win would bring them to the brink of confirmed safety, with coach Frédéric Taquin urging his players to "close the debate." The defeat means that debate goes on. For Dender, three precious points keep their relegation survival fight very much alive.