KAA Gent has qualified for the UEFA Conference League group stage following a dramatic late comeback. The Belgian club won 3-2 away at Scottish side Hibernian on Thursday, overturning a deficit with two goals in the final six minutes after the first leg ended 0-0.
This European success builds on a strong start to the domestic season. Gent currently sits fifth in the Jupiler Pro League with six points from two matches. Rik De Mil's side has scored four goals and conceded just one, giving them a +3 goal difference. They trail league leaders Club Brugge KV by three points, whom they face next in the league on August 30th.
How did the decisive playoff match unfold?
Teenage striker Josue Vergara gave Gent a first-half lead at Easter Road. Hibernian turned the tie around after the break with goals from Jason Kerr and Felix Passlack, putting the Scots 2-1 up and seemingly in control of qualification. The match turned dramatically in the closing moments. Christian Burgess equalized for Gent in the 84th minute, before Hibernian defender Miguel Chaiwa turned the ball into his own net in stoppage time under pressure from Ibrahima Cisse. Chaiwa was then sent off for a second yellow card.
Gent manager Rik De Mil praised his team's resilience. "I’m very happy with the character of the boys," De Mil told the Daily Record. "We played well in the first half and found spaces, creating some chances." The victory secures Gent's place in the group stage of a European competition.
What was the reaction from the losing side?
Hibernian interim manager David Gray admitted the defeat was a bitter pill to swallow. "It’s really hard to put into words, in terms of the feeling in the group," Gray said. "It hurts, it’s going to sting." He added that his team deserved to progress over the two legs but that the tie was decided in two massive moments at the end. Gray claimed Hibs had the best chance to make it 3-2 after Gent's equalizer.
What's next for Gent's schedule?
European qualification adds more fixtures to an already busy period. Attention now immediately turns to the top-of-the-table clash against Club Brugge this weekend. The full schedule can be found on our fixtures page. The Gent squad that achieved this result is listed in our squad section.
The club must now balance domestic league commitments with its European campaign. Their current fifth position in the standings provides a solid foundation, but the matches will come thick and fast. Maintaining fitness and focus becomes even more important for De Mil's team in the weeks ahead.
