Zulte Waregem VV Women delivered one of their most convincing away performances of the Belgian Women's Super League season, defeating KAA Gent Ladies Women 3-1 at Sportpark PGB. The visitors combined disciplined pressing with ruthless finishing, scoring three times from a modest share of possession and handing the home side a result that will sting long after the final whistle.

Match Overview

Gent began the game with the intent expected of a home side, pushing their full-backs high and looking to overload the flanks with quick combinations. For the opening quarter of an hour it worked — Waregem were pinned back and forced into a series of hurried clearances. But the visitors absorbed the pressure, waited for their moment, and struck first with a well-worked move that set the tone for the rest of the afternoon.

The scoreline of 3-1 only partially reflects the balance of play. Gent saw more of the ball and registered a healthy number of attempts, but Waregem's defensive block stayed compact, their goalkeeper dealt confidently with crosses, and their forwards converted chances at a rate the hosts simply could not match.

Key Moments

• 14' — Goal, Zulte Waregem. A turnover in midfield was punished instantly, with Emma Vandenberghe finishing low across the goalkeeper after a slick one-two on the edge of the box.
• 38' — Big chance, Gent. A header from a corner flashed narrowly wide as the home side's best spell of pressure went unrewarded.
• 52' — Goal, KAA Gent Ladies. Margaux Delrue pulled the hosts level, arriving late at the back post to convert a deep cross and momentarily shift the momentum.
• 71' — Goal, Zulte Waregem. Lore D'Hondt restored the lead with a composed finish inside the area after Gent failed to clear a second-phase set piece.
• 88' — Goal, Zulte Waregem. Substitute Ine Vandeputte sealed the points on the counter-attack, breaking clear and slotting past the goalkeeper as Gent pushed bodies forward.

Inside the Tactics

Waregem set up in a flexible 4-3-3 that morphed into a 4-5-1 without the ball. Their midfield three sat narrow, cutting the passing lanes into Gent's central creators and daring the hosts to build through the wide areas. Once Gent committed numbers forward, Waregem's wide forwards sprinted into the space behind — a pattern that produced both the opening goal and the late clincher.

Gent's approach was patient but ultimately predictable. Their build-up was neat between the lines, yet the final third lacked a cutting edge, and each misplaced pass in midfield felt like an invitation for Waregem to break. The hosts' attempts to press higher after equalising left them exposed, and Waregem's coaching staff read the game well, delaying substitutions until Gent had fully committed to chasing the win.

Standout Performers

Vandenberghe's early opener settled Waregem's nerves and her movement along the front line kept Gent's centre-backs occupied all afternoon. D'Hondt ran the midfield transition superbly, winning second balls and timing her run into the box perfectly for the decisive second goal. In defence, Waregem's back four handled a barrage of crosses with maturity beyond the scoreline.

For Gent, Delrue was the brightest attacking outlet and deserved her goal, while their goalkeeper made two excellent saves to keep the deficit manageable before the late third. The home side's captain drove her team forward throughout, but too many promising positions ended in rushed deliveries.

What the Result Means

Three points on the road against a direct rival in the standings is exactly the kind of result that shapes a season. Waregem leave with renewed confidence and valuable momentum, particularly with their away form now looking like a genuine strength rather than a question mark. The margin of victory also gives them a useful head-to-head and goal-difference edge should the two clubs finish level on points later in the campaign.

For KAA Gent Ladies, the afternoon raises familiar questions about converting possession into goals. The defensive organisation was largely sound, but conceding immediately after the equaliser — and again on the counter late on — points to concentration lapses that opponents in the Belgian Women's Super League will continue to punish. With the table tightening, Gent will need results quickly to keep pace with the leading pack.