Union Rochefortoise produced a stirring comeback to draw 3-3 with KAA Gent in a remarkable Belgian Cup tie on Sunday evening. The lower-division hosts recovered from 3-1 down with two late goals, turning what looked like a routine night for the top-flight visitors into a breathless cup classic in Rochefort.

Match overview

KAA Gent began as expected, controlling possession and creating the first clear chance in the 14th minute. Union Rochefortoise responded well, equalising in the 32nd minute through a set piece that exposed Gent's marking. The visitors regained the lead shortly after half-time and appeared to take control when they scored a third goal in the 61st minute. But Rochefortoise refused to fade, pulling one back in the 79th minute and finding a dramatic equaliser in stoppage time to send the home crowd into raptures.

The 3-3 scoreline sent the tie into a deciding shootout, but the story of the night was Rochefortoise's resilience. Gent's superior technical quality was evident in spells, yet the visitors were guilty of switching off at key moments. The hosts, meanwhile, grew in belief with every passing minute and fully deserved their place in the headlines.

Key moments

• 14th minute – Gent take the lead: A flowing move down the left ended with a composed finish from inside the penalty area.
• 32nd minute – Rochefortoise equalise: A deep free-kick was headed back across goal and bundled in at the far post.
• 48th minute – Gent retake the lead: A quick combination on the edge of the box opened space for a low strike.
• 61st minute – Gent make it 3-1: A counterattack ended with a precise finish, seemingly putting the tie beyond the underdogs.
• 79th minute – Rochefortoise pull one back: A corner caused chaos in the Gent box, and the ball was forced over the line.
• 90+3rd minute – The equaliser: A long ball forward was flicked on, and the substitute forward finished calmly to make it 3-3.

Tactical story

Gent dominated the ball for long periods and looked dangerous when their wide players isolated Rochefortoise's full-backs. However, the visitors' tempo dropped after taking the lead, and their defensive concentration wavered at set pieces. Rochefortoise targeted those moments, sending numbers into the box and relying on direct running to unsettle a more technical opponent.

The hosts also pressed higher in the final 15 minutes, forcing Gent into hurried clearances. That shift in approach changed the momentum of the tie. Gent still had chances on the break, but they could not find the fourth goal that would have killed the contest, and Rochefortoise's persistence was rewarded with a stunning late leveller.

Standout players

Rochefortoise's substitute forward made the biggest impact, scoring the dramatic equaliser and providing fresh energy in the final third. The hosts' captain drove the team forward from midfield and was instrumental in the late surge. For Gent, the attacking midfielder was the standout performer for much of the night, creating chances and scoring the third goal, but the visitors' defensive unit will look back at the set-piece goals with frustration.

What the draw means

For Union Rochefortoise, the 3-3 draw is a landmark result in the Belgian Cup and a night their supporters will remember for years. It shows the value of belief and organisation against a top-flight opponent. For KAA Gent, the tie is a warning about complacency and defensive focus, even though their quality in possession was clear. The scoreline alone ensures this cup tie will be remembered as one of the competition's most dramatic encounters of the season.