KAA Gent advanced to the Conference League play-offs with a 1-1 draw against Göteborg. Despite a late equalizer, the Buffaloes held on and will now face Hibernian of Scotland. League standing: 4th in Jupiler Pro League, 3 pts, 1W-0D-0L from 1 games, recent form W.
Gent started slowly but scored efficiently in the 28th minute. Matties Volckaert headed in after a cross from Araujo. Göteborg had little to offer until a late corner brought back the tension. Saidou Moubarak headed in the equalizer, but Gent held firm.
This result means Gent is one step closer to the European group stage. With a 2-1 lead from the first leg and a home draw, Hein Vanhaezebrouck's side showed they belong in Europe. Goals this season: 2 scored, 0 conceded (+2 goal difference).
Gent will now play Hibernian in the play-offs. The first leg is on August 20 at the Planet Group Arena, with the return leg on August 27 in Edinburgh. Next fixture: vs St. Truiden (away, 2027-02-13) (11th in the table).
Post-match reactions
Volckaert: 'We dominated but late mistakes made it tense. Scoring my first Gent goal was special.'
