Gent vs Mechelen

KAA Gent were seconds away from a winning start to the Champions' Play-offs, but Bill Antonio shattered the home crowd's joy with a stunning 90+5' equalizer to hand KV Mechelen a 1-1 draw. The hosts had led since the 15th minute when Max Dean pounced on a through-ball expertly worked by Skóras and Leonardo Lopes. Gent controlled the first half but faded after the break. Goalkeeper Davy Roef kept them ahead with three rapid saves around the 75th minute, before Mathis Servais set up Antonio in a chaotic box scramble and the Mechelen striker finished emphatically. The result is bittersweet for both sides. KV Mechelen salvage a precious point on their Champions' Play-offs debut — their first in 15 years — while Gent are left to rue another missed opportunity, having won just one of ten play-off games last season.