USG vs PSV Eindhoven: Anouar Ait El Hadj savors his first Champions League goal | OneFootball

The Belgian-Moroccan midfielder scored a stunning goal during Union’s historic victory over PSV (1-3)

Anouar Ait El Hadj / USG 3-1 PSV Eindhoven / Champions League

Anouar Ait El Hadj found the net for the first time in the Champions League on Tuesday night in Eindhoven. The Union Saint-Gilloise midfielder played a pivotal role in the 1-3 triumph over PSV, marking a historic debut for the Brussels club in Europe’s most prestigious competition.

Union Saint-Gilloise traveled to the Philips Stadium in the Netherlands on September 16 to take on PSV Eindhoven in the opening matchday of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League. Thanks to contributions from their scorers, including Anouar Ait El Hadj, the Belgian champions claimed all three crucial points to kick off their campaign in style.

A landmark victory for Union Saint-Gilloise and Anouar Ait El Hadj

Just nine minutes in, Promise David broke the deadlock for Union by converting a penalty after Ricardo Pepi fouled Christian Burgess. Anouar Ait El Hadj doubled the lead in the 39th minute. The Moroccan-born attacking midfielder surged forward from midfield on a solo run, beating the Dutch goalkeeper with a precise and unstoppable strike. This goal, the second of the match after Promise David’s penalty opener, gave the Brussels side a comfortable cushion before halftime.

Kevin Mac Allister sealed the result in the 81st minute, pouncing on a corner to score opportunistically. Ruben van Bommel pulled one back for PSV in stoppage time, but it wasn’t enough to prevent defeat for his side. Named Man of the Match by UEFA’s technical observers, Ait El Hadj was elated with his first-ever Champions League goal.

"I saw space and told myself I’d push forward. Then I realized there was only one defender left, so I tried to take him on. I knew where the goal was, so I didn’t even look up. I just aimed for the far post, and that was it. I’m extremely proud of this first Champions League goal. I thought about all the struggles at Union, Genk, Anderlecht… all the hard work paying off. It feels incredible," Ait El Hadj shared in the mixed zone after the match.