On 15 October 2026, the Leuven stadium hosted a match on the second day of the UEFA Europa League group stage between Union Saint-Gilloise and Real Sociedad. The match, which was played in the Belgian city, was attended by fans of both teams, who filled the stands and cheered on their players from the first minute.
Union SG, led by coach David Hubert, began the contest with a solid defensive posture and constant pressure on the midfield. The Belgian players showed a collective game, with outstanding interventions from Nikki Havenaar and Darius Olaru, who fought for every ball in the center of the field. In the attacking phase, Union SG midfielder Mateo Biondic stood out with several headers and a physical presence that forced the Spanish defense to remain alert.
For its part, Real Sociedad, under the direction of Pellegrino Matarazzo, deployed a more fluid and offensive style of play. The Spanish team's forwards and midfielders, such as Mikel Oyarzabal and Jon Martin, constantly looked to create scoring opportunities, while goalkeeper Unai Marrero made several decisive saves. The pressure of the Spanish defense was challenged on several occasions by the Belgian players, especially when Union SG midfielder Kamiel Van de Perre attempted to head home.
The first goal of the match came in the 27th minute, when Benat Turrientes, from Real Sociedad, took advantage of an error by the Belgian defense to score with a precise shot. The striker celebrated with his teammates, while the Spanish club's fans applauded the goal. Real Sociedad's victory remained secure after the score, although Union SG continued to fight in the final minutes to seek a comeback.
The final result left Real Sociedad with three points in the group stage, while Union SG was left without points. With the position of both teams in the table, the next match will be crucial: Union SG will have to look for a comeback in their next match in the group stage, while Real Sociedad prepares to face their next rival in the same competition. The Europa League day continues with the expectation that both teams will try to improve their position and advance to the next phase of the tournament.