Gent's chances came to nothing as Lommel scored twice late on

Lommel United beat Gent 2-0 at the Soevereinstadion, scoring in the 82nd and 87th minutes after a goalless game in which Gent had plenty of chances.

Lommel United had more of the ball in their 2-0 win over Gent at the Soevereinstadion, but the game stayed goalless until the last eight minutes of normal time. Juho Talvitie scored in the 82nd minute, and Đorđe Gordić, who had set up the first, struck again in the 87th. Neither side had led before that, so the result turned on a short spell at the end of the match.

Lommel's 59% share of the ball, meaning the time they spent in possession, compares with a home average of 45.2%. Gent's 41% sits below their away norm of 44.9%, so the match tilted further towards Lommel than their usual pattern would suggest. Lommel also had 16 shots, against a home average of 10.8, which is a clear step up for a side at home.

Expected goals, or xG, is a rough way of measuring the quality of chances, with a shot from close range counting for more than one from distance. Lommel's 1.34 was above their home norm of 1.05, so they were getting into better positions than usual. Gent's 1.26 was close to their away norm of 1.3, which means they were not short of openings even though they had less of the ball.

The difference lay in finishing. Gent average 2.1 goals a game away from home, and this time they finished with none. Momodou Sonko was their most creative player, making seven key passes, which are passes that lead directly to a shot, and he was rated 7.9. Those chances were made, but none of them went in, and that is what turned an even contest into a defeat.

Gent's defence was also below its usual level, since they conceded twice against an away average of 0.4. Lommel's defence was the reverse, conceding nothing against a home average of 1.2. Keeper Matthias Pieklak made four saves and was rated 7.9, and the two late goals came from Talvitie and Gordić, who was also rated 7.7 for his goal and assist.

A league game in this division averaged 3.2 goals, and this one produced two, so it was lower scoring than the usual run of matches. Both sides took more shots than the league average of 12.8 per team, which describes a game where the openings were there and the finishing decided the outcome. Lommel's were taken late, while Gent's were not taken at all.

Before kick-off Gent had lost none of their nine league games, and they sat third in the table with 25 points. Lommel had been eighth on 12 points. The two late goals gave Lommel a win that the chances had not clearly earned in the first hour, and it is the detail a reader who missed the match will want first.

Player of the matchMatthias Pieklak4 saves7.9

Momodou Sonko7 chances created7.9

Juho Talvitie1 goal7.7

Đorđe Gordić1 goal · 1 assist7.7