WESTERLO, Belgium (Interstat) — Visiting Genk rallied with two goals in three minutes to overcome an early deficit and defeat Westerlo 2-1 on Saturday in a Belgian First Division A match at Het Kuipje.

The match, a season opener for both clubs, defied a pregame projection from Interstat that favored Genk with a 60.80 percent probability to win but had forecast a 2-2 draw. Instead, a flurry of second-half action from the substitutes’ bench decided the contest.

The game’s first significant chance fell to the hosts, but the deadlock was broken by a Genk substitute in the 68th minute. Zakaria El Ouahdi, who had entered the match earlier, provided the finishing touch to a move that gave the visitors a 1-0 lead. The assist came from fellow substitute Yaimar Medina, who had been shown a yellow card in the fourth minute.

Genk’s advantage was dramatically short-lived. Westerlo responded almost immediately, leveling the score just three minutes later. In the 71st minute, another substitute made an impact as Aaron Bibout found the net for the equalizer, assisted by forward Josimar Alcócer.

The frantic pace continued, and Genk restored its lead only five minutes after conceding. In the 76th minute, forward Afonso Patrão scored what proved to be the decisive goal, converting a pass from substitute Junya Itō to make it 2-1. Itō had also been booked in the first half.

The three-goal burst within eight minutes provided the only scoring in a match that saw disciplined defensive efforts from both sides after the frantic sequence. Westerlo was unable to mount another successful response in the final quarter-hour.

The physical tone was set early, with three yellow cards issued in the first half. Medina’s booking for Genk in the 4th minute was followed by a caution for Westerlo’s Alcócer in the 19th minute. Genk’s Itō received a yellow in the 38th minute.

With the result, Genk begins its Belgian First Division A campaign with a victory, moving its league record to one win and no losses. Westerlo starts with a defeat, its record now at no wins and one loss. The records across all competitions for both clubs are identical to their league marks at this early stage of the season.

The match highlighted the impact of tactical substitutions, with all three goalscorers and two of the three assist providers having started the game on the bench. Genk’s ability to secure three points on the road, despite the game being played in front of a home crowd at Het Kuipje, provides a positive start as the club looks to build momentum for the season ahead. Westerlo will rue its inability to hold onto the momentum gained from its quick equalizer, ultimately falling short in its home opener.