Round of the Europa Conference League: Union’s 10-man match ends in a tie with Frankfurt

Union Saint-Gilloise displayed remarkable resilience as they battled to a 2-2 draw against Eintracht Frankfurt in the UEFA Europa Conference League last-16 tie at Lotto Park. Despite being reduced to ten men, Union extended their unbeaten home record to 15 matches across all competitions, showcasing their determination and fighting spirit on the European stage.

The encounter began with Eintracht Frankfurt swiftly securing a two-goal advantage within the first 10 minutes, stunning the hosts with their clinical finishing. Farès Chaïbi opened the scoring with a simple tap-in after brilliant footwork by Niels Nkounkou, followed by Saša Kalajdžić’s splendid finish to extend Frankfurt’s lead.

However, Union Saint-Gilloise refused to be deterred and responded strongly, halving Frankfurt’s lead with Mathias Rasmussen’s accurate low drive after a defensive lapse by Ellyes Skhiri. Despite trailing, Union remained composed and gradually gained momentum as the first half progressed.

The second half saw Union take control of proceedings, with Gustaf Nilsson coming close to equalizing with a headed chance. Eventually, Nilsson found the back of the net with a poacher’s finish, leveling the score and setting the stage for an exciting finale.

However, Union’s hopes suffered a setback as Charles Vanhoutte was sent off after receiving a second yellow card. Despite being down to ten men, Union displayed resilience and determination to hold on for a draw, extending their unbeaten streak at home in Europe to five games.

On the other hand, Frankfurt will rue missed opportunities, especially after playing the final quarter-hour with a numerical advantage. Despite their dominance, Frankfurt failed to capitalize on their chances and have now returned home victorious on just one occasion in five visits to Belgian sides.

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Overall, Union Saint-Gilloise’s spirited performance against Eintracht Frankfurt highlights their resilience and determination on the European stage, setting the stage for an intriguing second leg as both teams vie for a spot in the next round of the UEFA Europa Conference League.