Stade de Reims claimed a solid 2-1 victory over KV Kortrijk in an international club friendly on 1 August 2026, with the French Ligue 1 side showing greater quality in the final third during a competitive evening at Kortrijk's home stadium.

The match, which started at 20:00, saw Reims edge ahead in the first half and then hold their nerve after the Belgian hosts equalised, before restoring their lead with what proved to be the winning goal. It was a useful workout for both teams as they fine-tuned their preparations for the upcoming season.

Match overview

Stade de Reims began the match with purpose, moving the ball quickly and exploiting the space behind KV Kortrijk's defensive line. Their opening goal came after a well-executed attacking move, catching the home side off guard and settling any early nerves for the visitors.

KV Kortrijk responded well and grew into the game as the half progressed. They found their equaliser through a well-worked move that finished clinically, giving the home supporters something to celebrate before the interval.

Second-half battle

Both teams made several changes after the break as is customary for pre-season friendlies, which slowed the tempo in the opening exchanges of the second half. However, Reims gradually regained control and scored the decisive goal through a combination of patience and quality in the attacking third.

Kortrijk pushed forward in search of another equaliser and enjoyed spells of pressure, but Reims defended resolutely and saw out the victory. The French side showed the kind of composure that should serve them well in their competitive fixtures, while Kortrijk demonstrated plenty of fighting spirit.

Key observations

• Reims' attacking efficiency: They took their chances well and looked dangerous every time they advanced.
• Kortrijk's resilience: They matched their higher-profile opponents for long stretches.
• Set-piece organisation: Both teams will want to sharpen their deliveries and marking ahead of league action.

Friendly verdict

For Stade de Reims, this friendly provided a stern test away from home, and the coaching staff will be pleased with the way the team handled a motivated opponent. Scoring two goals and conceding just one is a solid return in pre-season, and the match gave key players valuable minutes in an unfamiliar environment.

KV Kortrijk will take positives from their performance too. The fact they competed with a Ligue 1 team and scored against them shows the squad has potential. Fine-tuning their defensive concentration will be the priority before competitive football resumes.

Overall, it was an engaging and useful friendly, with Reims edging the contest and both clubs gaining valuable preparation for their respective league campaigns.