Zulte Waregem vs Gent Match Recap - Oct 19, 2025

Erenbjerg’s Double Inspires Zulte Waregem’s Stunning 4-1 Rout Over Gent at Elindus Arena

A sharp October evening delivered a result few foresaw, as Zulte Waregem surged past fourth-place Gent with a rousing 4-1 victory at Elindus Arena—a night that could mark a turning point in their Jupiler Pro League campaign. Jeppe Erenbjerg’s brace bookended a dominant performance, one that placed Zulte Waregem firmly back in the European discussion and left Gent searching for answers after a rare defensive collapse.

For a club that started the day in eighth, three points adrift of their visitors, Zulte Waregem played with the conviction of contenders. The tone was set early, as the home side pressed with intent and reaped reward after just 15 minutes. Thomas Claes, a bright spot in recent weeks, broke the deadlock with a composed finish, capitalizing on the game’s first major defensive lapse. The goal electrified the home support and rattled a Gent side unaccustomed to chasing games this season.

If the opener was a sign of Zulte’s ambition, their second underlined it. On 25 minutes, Jeppe Erenbjerg—already the club’s emerging talisman—doubled the advantage, slotting home after a sweeping move down the right. The interplay in midfield and the precision of Zulte’s passing had Gent’s veteran back line stretched thin, and Erenbjerg made no mistake from close range.

Gent, coming off four wins in their last five and boasting a cohesive attack led by the in-form Omri Gandelman and Atsuki Ito, looked stunned. Waregem’s midfield, anchored by the industrious Yannick Cappelle, suffocated Gent’s rhythm and denied them any opportunity to establish control. There were flashes from Gent—skipper Sven Kums probing for an opening, Michał Skóraś darting down the flank—but each time, Zulte’s defense proved resolute.

Moments before halftime, the hosts further punished Gent’s sluggishness. A set piece on 41 minutes saw the ball break kindly to Benoit Nyssen, whose half-volley into the top corner all but ended the suspense. The roar from the stands was matched only by the resignation evident in Gent’s body language. Down 3-0 at the break, their unbeaten away run was in jeopardy.

Zulte’s intensity did not flag after intermission, though Gent, desperate to salvage pride, at last found a foothold as the hour mark approached. Substitutions injected life; the visitors finally began to exploit the wide areas, and the pressure paid off in the 78th minute. Omri Gandelman, Gent’s standout midfielder, latched onto a loose ball at the edge of the area and rifled a shot past a sprawling Sammy Bossut, providing Gent a glimmer of hope.

That flicker was quickly extinguished. Barely three minutes later, Zulte struck again—emphatically so. Erenbjerg, the night’s irrepressible figure, raced behind a weary Gent defense to collect a through ball and finished coolly for his second and Zulte’s fourth, sealing the outcome.

The final whistle confirmed not merely an upset, but a statement. Waregem, unbeaten in four and winners in three of their last five, have flipped their early season narrative. With 14 points from ten matches (4W-2D-4L), they leap into the top half, their confidence buoyed at a pivotal juncture. For Gent, who entered the evening in fourth with 17 points (5W-2D-3L) and the league’s most balanced attack, the defeat serves as a warning—a reality check after a near-flawless September.

Tonight’s result is the latest twist in a fixture that has, in recent years, often produced drama. Last season, both encounters ended in tight draws. Rarely has there been such daylight between the sides, and rarely has Gent’s backline so visibly faltered.

For Zulte Waregem, Erenbjerg’s emergence as a genuine scoring threat—now with decisive goals in both of their last two home wins—adds a new dimension to a squad eager to upset the order. Thomas Claes and Benoit Nyssen’s contributions were equally vital, their energy emblematic of a team rediscovering its verve.

Gent, meanwhile, must regroup quickly. With Anderlecht and Club Brugge both in hot pursuit, Hein Vanhaezebrouck’s men cannot afford another misstep. Gandelman’s late consolation offered little solace, and the sight of Gent’s usually organized defense carved open four times will linger as they prepare for next week’s clash.

As the league enters its decisive stretch, Zulte Waregem’s resurgence provides fresh intrigue to the European race. Gent, stung and searching, know that in the weeks ahead, every point—and every lapse—may prove decisive. Tonight, though, the night belonged to Waregem, and to the man whose brace ensured the roars at Elindus Arena echoed long after full time.