Union Saint-Gilloise kicked off their 2026 pre-season preparations in emphatic style on July 5, dismantling Romanian side Fotbal Club FCSB 4-0 at a packed home venue. The Belgian Pro League outfit showed no signs of early-season rust as they overwhelmed their visitors from the first whistle, delivering a performance that will send a clear message to their domestic rivals.

Match Overview

Playing their first friendly of the summer, Union Saint-Gilloise controlled the tempo from start to finish. FCSB, who have a proud European pedigree, struggled to cope with the intensity and pressing of the hosts. The scoreline could have been even more emphatic, as Union created several additional chances that went begging.

Key Moments & Goals

• Early breakthrough: Union opened the scoring inside the first 15 minutes when a swift attacking move carved open the FCSB defence. A precise low cross was turned home from close range.
• Second before half-time: Just before the interval, Union doubled their lead with a well-worked set-piece. A corner was headed goalward and deflected in off a defender.
• Third after restart: The Belgian side continued to dominate. A powerful run down the left flank ended with a cut-back and a clinical finish from the edge of the box.
• Fourth in the final quarter: Substitute forward added gloss to the scoreline with a neat solo effort, dribbling past two defenders before slotting past the goalkeeper.

Standout Players

Union's midfield trio dictated the rhythm throughout, while the full-backs provided constant width. The goalkeeper, largely untested, was alert when called upon to make a couple of routine saves. For FCSB, the central defender fought hard to keep the score respectable, but the team as a whole lacked sharpness in their first friendly of the summer.

Season Context

Both sides used this friendly to build fitness and experiment with tactics ahead of the 2026-27 season. Union Saint-Gilloise, aiming to challenge for the Belgian Pro League title again, will take great confidence from such a comprehensive victory. FCSB, meanwhile, will look to shake off this defeat as they continue their own pre-season schedule in the coming weeks.