Jupiler Pro League: Antonio’s last gasp equalizer gives Mechelen a point at Gent

Bill Antonio came on at halftime for KV Mechelen and provided a moment of inspiration to give his club an important 1-1 draw away from home at KAA Gent on Monday in Belgium’s Jupiler Pro League.

⏱️ | Het eerste doelpunt van het seizoen van Bill Antonio is 𝚑𝚒𝚜𝚝𝚘𝚛𝚒𝚜𝚌𝚑 voor KV Mechelen! 💥😎 #GNTKVM

Bekijk de #JPL-samenvattingen nu in de DAZN-app! 📲 pic.twitter.com/qmP5Gt19aM

— DAZN België (@DAZN_BENL) April 6, 2026

The Zimbabwean’s beautiful curled effort in stoppage time, his first goal of the season for the club, allowed Mechelen to kick off the championship group with a big result. The two teams remain tied on points in fourth place, where a top-4 position is set to secure qualification for continental football next season.

Hosts Gent went ahead in the opening quarter-hour through English forward Max Dean. However, they failed to seize the advantage in a match that featured few clear opportunities for either team.

The visitors took full control of the second half, dominating possession and creating the majority of chances. When Mathis Servais battled for the ball on the right wing and tackled the ball in the direction of Antonio, the former Dynamos FC phenom produced a perfect strike that left Gent keeper Davy Roef grasping at air.

A positive start to the final stretch of the Jupiler Pro League campaign

It was a standout performance for the attacker, who sparked the Mechelen attack after a sluggish first half performance. Antonio was successful on three of his four dribble attempts and added an element of urgency that was needed to secure a point.

Now grouped with the best teams in the league, there is no time to celebrate with even more difficult fixtures ahead. KVM will next host reigning champions Royale Union Saint-Gilloise on Sunday.