Just days after securing a second consecutive league title, RFS hosted the Belgian giants at the "Daugava" stadium in Rīga.
The hosts were by no means outclassed by their more famous visitors and despite RFS giving up the majority of possession, Anderlecht created few chances amid well-organized and determined defense from the home team. The first half finished goalless.
It was a similar pattern for much of the second half, though arguably RFS made most of the better chances. The deadlock was broken only in the 85th minute Mario Struykens, the 20-year-old new hope of Belgian football, fired home from distance.
It seemed that would be enough to claim the win for Anderlecht, but seven minutes of injury time and a little bit of well-deserved luck were to have their say. A scramble in front of goal saw the ball saved, hit the post, passed back into the danger zone and ricocheting off a defender's leg into the net to give RFS a share of the spoils and another memorable European result.
🤩 Vēl viens neaizmirstams vakars mūsu un Latvijas futbola vēsturē. Paldies jums! ❤️ pic.twitter.com/as8iwtLWYk
— FC RFS (@RFSDaily) November 7, 2024