In a dramatic evening at the Stade du Pays de Charleroi, Zulte Waregem stunned the home crowd with a stoppage-time winner, overturning an early deficit to claim a 2-1 victory over third-placed Charleroi—a result that throws fresh doubt on the Zebras’ ability to sustain a title challenge.

Charleroi’s Early Edge Fades

Charleroi, boasting momentum from three consecutive wins and sitting comfortably in third place, entered the match as heavy favorites. Their confidence was evident in the opening exchanges, with swift passing and aggressive pressing pinning Zulte Waregem deep. The breakthrough came swiftly: in the 15th minute, Patrick Pflücke struck clinically, finishing off a move that showcased Charleroi’s attacking verve.

Yet, rather than consolidating their lead, Charleroi’s grip on the game began to loosen. Moments later, a pivotal incident shaped the contest—defender Aiham Ousou’s professional foul saw him cautioned, disrupting Charleroi’s defensive rhythm and hinting at vulnerabilities that would later be exploited.

Waregem’s Resilience and Opoku’s Equalizer

Despite trailing and facing a partisan crowd, Zulte Waregem refused to wilt. Coach Sven Vandenbroeck’s side, languishing in 14th spot prior to kickoff, weathered Charleroi’s early storm and grew into the contest. The equalizer arrived in the 62nd minute through Joseph Opoku, who finished off a well-worked counterattack. The goal was emblematic of Waregem’s resilience and tactical discipline, exposing Charleroi’s tendency to overcommit and leaving them susceptible to transitions.

Late Drama: Vossen Delivers the Stunner

With the match seemingly headed for a draw, stoppage time delivered its cruelest twist. In the 94th minute, veteran striker Jelle Vossen found space in the box, capitalizing on a moment of defensive indecision to slot home the winner. The visiting bench erupted; Charleroi’s players, stunned, slumped to the turf as the final whistle confirmed a defeat that few had foreseen.

Key Performances and Tactical Notes

• Patrick Pflücke was Charleroi’s chief creative force, but faded as Waregem adjusted their shape and cut off supply lines after the break.
• Joseph Opoku’s energy and movement stretched Charleroi’s back line, while Jelle Vossen’s late cameo proved decisive, his experience telling in a frenetic finish.
• Charleroi’s midfield, so often the engine of their recent success, struggled to maintain control as the game wore on, with misplaced passes and lapses in concentration inviting Waregem forward.
• Vandenbroeck’s substitutions in the second half injected pace and fresh legs, tilting the balance as Charleroi’s intensity waned.

A Result with Repercussions

For Zulte Waregem, this victory is a statement of intent, offering hope that their early-season struggles may be behind them. The three points lift them up the table, and the manner of their win—a composed comeback capped by late drama—should imbue the squad with confidence for the weeks ahead.

But the story of the night centers on Charleroi’s unraveling. This was a test of mettle, and the Zebras fell short. Their inability to manage the game after taking the lead, combined with late defensive lapses, raises uncomfortable questions about their credentials as genuine title contenders. For all their attacking flair, Charleroi’s foundation appears worryingly brittle.

Broader Implications: Are Charleroi Pretenders or Contenders?

Charleroi’s early-season form has sparked whispers of a title challenge, but this defeat—against a team mired in the league’s lower reaches—suggests those ambitions may be premature. While their attack is potent (eight goals in their last five matches), defensive fragility and a lack of composure under pressure persist. The Zebras must quickly regroup, as rivals will have watched this collapse with interest, sensing that Charleroi’s armor is not as impenetrable as it once seemed.

For Zulte Waregem, the win is a timely reminder that in the Jupiler Pro League, reputations count for little. Tactical discipline, resilience, and a touch of late-game magic can upend even the most gilded narratives.

Next Steps

Charleroi’s response in the coming fixtures will be telling. Can they shore up their defense and rediscover the ruthless efficiency that launched their campaign? Or will this defeat mark the beginning of a slide from the upper echelons of the table?

Zulte Waregem, meanwhile, will savor this scalp as they look to build momentum and climb out of the lower half. If Vossen and Opoku can maintain their form, there may be more surprises in store.

On a night when expectations were upended, Zulte Waregem’s victory stands as both a warning and an invitation—to Charleroi and the rest of the Pro League: in Belgium’s top flight, nothing is settled until the final whistle.