Oudenaarde welcomed Belgian top-flight side Zulte-Waregem for an international club friendly on 4 July 2026, but the home side struggled to contain their high-quality opponents, ultimately falling to a 3-0 defeat. The match served as valuable pre-season preparation for both teams, though Zulte-Waregem’s class and efficiency proved decisive.

Match Report

The first half was a tightly contested affair, with Oudenaarde showing plenty of energy and organization. However, Zulte-Waregem gradually took control of possession and created the clearer chances. The breakthrough arrived just before the half-hour mark when a swift counter-attack ended with a clinical finish from inside the box. The visitors doubled their lead shortly after the restart with a well-placed free kick that curled over the wall and into the net.

Oudenaarde had their moments in the second half, forcing Zulte-Waregem’s goalkeeper into a couple of smart saves, but they lacked the cutting edge in the final third. Zulte-Waregem added a third goal late on with a composed finish in a one-on-one situation, rounding off a comfortable victory.

Standout Aspects

• Zulte-Waregem’s set-piece execution: The free-kick goal highlighted the visitors’ preparation and technical quality.
• Oudenaarde’s effort: Despite the scoreline, the home team competed well for long stretches, showing promising signs for the season ahead.

Looking Ahead

For Zulte-Waregem, this result continues a positive pre-season build-up as they fine-tune their tactics. Oudenaarde will take encouragement from their performance levels even as they focus on tightening up defensively before competitive matches resume.