LA LOUVIÈRE, Belgium (Interstat) — In an opening matchday upset that defied statistical projections, visiting Dender secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Louviere Centre in Belgian First Division A football on Monday.

The match, played before a crowd at the Easi Arena, was decided by a late goal from substitute Alireza Jahanbakhsh, handing Dender a winning start to the domestic campaign while leaving the hosts empty-handed.

The contest was a physical and often disjointed affair, reflected in the eight yellow cards issued by the officiating crew. Dender midfielder Joël Ito was booked in just the fourth minute, setting a combative tone. Teammates Bo De Kerf and Marsoni Sambu also saw cautions in the first half, as did Louviere Centre defender Yllan Okou in the 65th minute. The final stages grew particularly heated, with three more yellows shown after the 80th minute, including one to Dender’s match-winner, Jahanbakhsh, in second-half stoppage time.

For much of the game, Louviere Centre struggled to break down a disciplined Dender side. Pre-match analytics heavily favored the hosts, with Interstat’s ELO system giving Louviere Centre a 67.6 percent probability of victory and its simulator predicting a 1-1 draw. That projected offensive output failed to materialize on the pitch.

The decisive moment arrived in the 84th minute, stemming from a swift Dender counterattack. The move involved a series of substitutes, with Bo De Kerf and David Toshevski combining in the buildup before Bryan Goncalves delivered the final pass. Jahanbakhsh, who had entered the match as a second-half substitute, provided the clinical finish to break the deadlock.

The assist was one of several notable contributions from Dender’s bench. In total, six different Dender players were credited with an assist on the lone goal, a statistical anomaly highlighting a team-built sequence. Alongside De Kerf, Toshevski and Goncalves, substitutes Marsoni Sambu and Jerry Afriyie, as well as starting defender Yllan Okou and starting midfielder Joël Ito, were all credited with an assist in the official statistics.

The goal silenced the home supporters and secured a valuable three away points for Dender. The result immediately alters the early season landscape. Dender begins its First Division A season with a perfect record of one win and zero losses, while Louviere Centre starts with zero wins and one loss. The records across all competitions for both clubs are identical, as this match marked the opener for each team.

The victory for Dender will be seen as a statement win, overcoming significant pre-game odds and a tough road environment. For Louviere Centre, the defeat represents a missed opportunity at home and an immediate need to recalibrate following a performance that fell well short of statistical expectations. The team’s inability to score, despite being the favored side, will be a primary concern moving forward.