Mohamed Belkheir etched his name into La Louvière’s history books with a dramatic stoppage-time winner that secured the club’s long-awaited promotion to the Belgian Pro League.
The 26-year-old Algerian forward delivered the decisive moment in the 90+2nd minute of a tense clash against Lommel, scoring his 15th goal of the season in the most crucial of circumstances.
With the match hanging in the balance and the club’s promotion hopes in jeopardy, Belkheir’s goal sealed a 2-1 victory and propelled La Louvière into Belgium’s top tier.
Lommel had taken an early lead in the match, applying pressure to a La Louvière side that knew only a win would guarantee automatic promotion.
The equaliser came in the 70th minute, reigniting belief in the home crowd. However, with news filtering through that RWD Molenbeek were still in contention during their match at Zulte Waregem, tension remained high throughout the final stages.
Then came Belkheir’s moment. As the clock ticked past the 90-minute mark, the former Inter Milan youth player controlled a well-placed cross with his chest inside the box before rifling a powerful left-footed strike beyond the goalkeeper.
The goal sent fans and players into euphoria, knowing it was the strike that would decide their fate.
La Louvière finished the season on 59 points, level with Zulte Waregem but ahead on head-to-head results, which earned them direct promotion.
Molenbeek, who ended with 57 points, will now have to fight for their top-flight status through the play-offs.
For Belkheir, the campaign represents a personal turning point. Once tipped for greatness during his time in the youth ranks of Inter Milan, his career has seen ups and downs.
But this season has marked a resurgence in form and confidence. Fifteen goals and a promotion-clinching strike have reaffirmed his place as a key figure in La Louvière’s success.
“This is more than just a goal — it’s the reward for all the hard work this team has put in,” Belkheir told local media after the match.
“We never gave up, even when things were tough. To be the one who helped us get over the line means everything.”
The promotion marks a milestone achievement for La Louvière, who have been working tirelessly behind the scenes to return to the top division.
The club’s supporters, long starved of top-flight football, now have a new hero in Belkheir and a fresh chapter to look forward to.
As the celebrations continue, the Algerian striker’s last-minute heroics will be remembered not only for their drama but also for their significance — a single goal that changed the fate of a club and perhaps the trajectory of his own career.
🤩 | Mouhamed Belkheir inscrit le but le plus important de sa carrière et offre la montée à la RAAL La Louvière. ⏱️😱 #LOMRAL pic.twitter.com/4RWuNfXXfU
— DAZN Belgique (@DAZN_BEFR) April 18, 2025
