Motherwell and Belgian giants K.R.C. Genk played out a thrilling friendly match as the Steelmen closed out their pre-season schedule with a 4-3 defeat.
Elijah Just opened the scoring from the penalty spot before Aaron Bibout equalised with a stunning strike from distance. Daan Heymans gave the visitors the advantage on the stroke of half time, with Bibout grabbing his second of the evening just minutes into the second-half.
The Steelmen kept fighting, and Mikey Booth pulled one back with 15 minutes to go, but Genk restored their two-goal advantage a couple of minutes later. A team full of academy players fought valiantly until the final whistle, with Robbie Hunter smashing home with six minutes remaining.
Fir Park supporters were able to see some new faces in the form of Alex Paulsen, Martin Moormann and Willy Vogt, who all signed during the summer window, but they were also treated to seeing some more familiar names, including Just, who played his first Motherwell minutes since his three goals at the 2026 World Cup.
And although a friendly match by title, the 90 minutes were full of intensity, with Ayumu Yokoyama cutting inside from the left flank and just missing the far post with his effort after just five minutes.
The game settled down with Motherwell trying to implement their new system under Alfred Johansson. Paulsen produced a wonderful save after 16 minutes to deny August De Wannemacker, who tried to curl one in under the bar.
The home side was competing well against the Belgian side and, with 27 minutes on the clock, showed their quality. Luca Ross did well to keep the ball in play from a long ball. Regan Charles-Cook pressed the Genk full-back and showed his strength to outmuscle the defender. The Grenadian drove into the box and was brought down, with the referee pointing to the spot.
Just, who shone on the world stage last month, took aim from 12 yards and found the bottom corner to open the scoring.
Summer signing Vogt was brought off after 30 minutes as part of a planned alteration, as the new forward gradually builds up his fitness. Ewan Wilson was the replacement.
Motherwell’s lead would only last five minutes, with Bibout taking aim from 30 yards; the Genk man produced a stunning volley to loop the ball over Paulsen and into the net.
Johansson’s side kept working hard and were close to restoring their lead after 37 minutes. A well-worked corner routine made its way back out to Lukas Fadinger; the Austrian delivered a powerful low cross into the area that Genk defender Josue Kongolo diverted towards his own goal, but to his relief, Tobias Lawal was able to push the ball wide for a corner.
Just lined one up from outside the area minutes later, but the New Zealand star couldn’t keep the effort on target. Daan Heymans would convert Yokoyama’s cross on the volley with virtually the last kick of the first-half, as the Steelmen, arguably unfortunately, found themselves behind at the break.
Mikey Booth was introduced to the action at the half time break, including Aaron Thomson in defence, with Martin Moormann and Elijah Just making way.
Just three minutes into the second period, however, Genk moved two goals ahead with Bibout finding the back of the net for a second time. A ball in behind was chased down by Yokoyama, who played in the forward who could finish from inside the penalty box.
Despite the setback, Motherwell showed promise in the final third. Charles-Cook forced Lawal into a very good stop after he latched onto a cross from the right-hand side, with the forward then trying his luck with an overhead kick just a minute later.
Paulsen remained sharp between the Motherwell sticks as he diverted Nikolas Sattleberger’s volley wide with the slightest of touches after the hour mark.
Motherwell pulled one back with 15 minutes to go. Tom Sparrow, who had the armband for the evening, had advanced forward up the right flank and found Booth unmarked in the box, and the young midfielder guided his header into the far corner to make it 3-2.
At this point, Johansson made a number of changes, with just Oscar Priestman and Charles-Cook, now captain, the only non-Motherwell FC Academy players.
The young team could only watch Brad Manguelle guide his header to the opposite side of Matty Connelly in the 78th minute, as the Steelmen conceded their fourth of the evening.
But despite a youthful side, they showed their energy and bravery as they applied serious pressure on Genk. That bravery was rewarded in the 84th minute when Hunter made an inch-perfect run to get in behind the backline before smashing into the top corner to reduce the deficit just to one.
Over 3000 Motherwell fans attended the final pre-season outing and will go away full of optimism with Motherwell kicking off their competitive season with the UEFA Conference League tie against Havnar Bóltfelag next week.
Motherwell Team: Paulsen, Sparrow, Whyte, Moormann, Ross, Vogt, Priestman, Fadinger, Said, Charles-Cook, Just.
Motherwell Subs: Connelly, Bjørgolfsson, Wilson, Booth, Buchanan, Dalziel, Hunter, Thomson, Weir, Ngandu.
