GENK, Belgium (Jan. 29, 2026) (Interstat) — KRC Gent opened its Europa League campaign with a 2-1 comeback victory over Malmo FF on Thursday at Cegeka Arena, defying pre-match projections.

Malmo’s Taha Abdi Ali, a substitute, stunned the home crowd with a goal in the fourth minute. Gent equalized in the 82nd minute through midfielder Konstantinos Karetsas. Substitute Kenan Busuladžić then assisted midfielder Daan Heymans for the decisive goal minutes later.

The result overturned statistical forecasts that heavily favored Malmo. Both sides received yellow cards in a physical match. Gent begins the group stage with a win, while Malmo seeks its first points.