Genk Women finally broke their duck of the new campaign, beating Gent 2:0 in the Super League on Thursday evening. Both sides arrived at the stadium with nothing between them in the table — six points apart, both yet to taste victory. The result meant Genk moved off the bottom of the standings for the first time, while Gent's run of defeats dragged on.
And here's the thing about the goals: they came when both sides were still feeling their way. The opener arrived in the 67th minute, just as the second half was settling into its rhythm. By then, Gent had already been searching for something to settle on. The second goal in the 74th minute did not so much seal the match as confirm what the first one had suggested.
To be fair, neither team had looked particularly threatening in recent weeks. Genk had taken only one point from three games — a goalless draw against OH Leuven Women — before this. Gent had lost all three of their outings, including a 1:6 defeat at OH Leuven just days earlier. What changed on this evening was not so much a tactical shift as a simple matter of finishing.
There was something fitting about the occasion. These two sides had already met on May 16th, when Genk won 2:0 at home. Same scoreline, different season. Gent's position in eighth place with zero points and three losses tells you exactly where things stand for them. Genk's move to six points and second-to-last place means the gap between them has narrowed.
What it means going forward is straightforward enough. Genk have finally got something to build on — a result, a point, a sense that the difficult patch might be ending. Gent will need to find answers quickly. Three defeats from three games does not leave much room for patience.