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{{Short description|Belgian footballer (born 1959)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2021}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Erwin Vandenbergh
| image = Training Belgisch nationale voetbalelftal in Mechelen voor de wedstrijd woensdag, Bestanddeelnr 931-1524.jpg
| caption = Vandenbergh in 1980
| full_name = 
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1959|1|26}}
| birth_place = {{ill|Ramsel|fr||nl}}, [[Herselt]], Belgium
| height = 1.84 m
| position = [[Forward (association football)|Forward]]
| youthyears1 = 
| youthclubs1 = 
| years1 = 1976&ndash;1982
| clubs1 = [[Lierse S.K. (1906)|Lierse]]
| caps1 = 178
| goals1 = 117
| years2 = 1982&ndash;1986
| clubs2 = [[R.S.C. Anderlecht|Anderlecht]]
| caps2 = 121
| goals2 = 87
| years3 = 1986&ndash;1990
| clubs3 = [[Lille OSC|Lille]]
| caps3 = 114
| goals3 = 38
| years4 = 1990&ndash;1994
| clubs4 = [[K.A.A. Gent|Gent]]
| caps4 = 110
| goals4 = 47
| years5 = 1994&ndash;1995
| clubs5 = [[R.W.D. Molenbeek (1909)|Molenbeek]]
| caps5 = 21
| goals5 = 4
| totalcaps = 544
| totalgoals = 293
| nationalyears1 = 1979&ndash;1991
| nationalteam1 = [[Belgium national football team|Belgium]]
| nationalcaps1 = 48
| nationalgoals1 = 20
| manageryears1 = 1995
| managerclubs1 = [[K.V.C. Westerlo|Westerlo]]
}}

'''Erwin Vandenbergh''' ({{IPA|nl|ˈɛrʋɪɱ vɑndə(m)ˈbɛr(ə)x}}; born 26 January 1959) is a Belgian retired professional [[association football|footballer]] who played as a [[forward (association football)|forward]]. Between 1979 and 1991, he finished six times as topscorer of the [[Belgian First Division]] (a still standing record), with three clubs (the first three with [[Lierse S.K. (1906)|Lierse]], the following two with [[R.S.C. Anderlecht|Anderlecht]], and the last one with [[K.A.A. Gent|Gent]]). In 1980, he was European topscorer with 39 goals out of 34 games. As a [[Belgium national football team|Belgium national team]] regular, Vandenbergh scored a memorable victory goal against Argentina in the [[1982 FIFA World Cup Group 3#Argentina vs Belgium|opening game]] of the [[1982 FIFA World Cup|1982 World Cup]] in Spain.<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 February 2025 |title=Erwin Vandenbergh |url=https://rbfalegendsclub.be/speler/erwin-vandenbergh |website=rbfalegendsclub.be |language=nl}}</ref>

Vandenbergh also played for the French club [[Lille OSC|Lille]] with his Belgium national team partner [[Filip Desmet]] under the management of another fellow Belgian [[Georges Heylens]]. His son, [[Kevin Vandenbergh]], also became a professional football striker, mainly at [[K.R.C. Genk|Genk]] and also for the Belgian national team.<ref>{{cite web |date=11 October 2023 |title=40-jarige ex-Rode Duivel blijft knallen in 3e Provinciale, nu al 8 goals én 96 treffers in 3 seizoenen |trans-title=40-year-old ex-Red Devil continues to excel in 3rd Provincial, already 8 goals and 96 hits in 3 seasons |url=https://voetbalflitsen.be/nieuws/x7jb39/40-jarige-ex-rode-duivel-blijft-knallen-in-3e-provinciale-nu-al-8-goals-en-96-treffers-in-3-seizoenen |access-date= |work=voetbalflitsen.be |language=nl}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=16 January 2018 |title=Kevin Vandenbergh |url=https://eu-football.info/_player.php?id=21877 |access-date= |work=eu-football.info |language=}}</ref>

== Club career ==

=== Lierse ===
At the age of 16, Erwin Vandenbergh made his debut in the team of his hometown, Ramsel. In his first season, the striker immediately scored 18 goals in 28 games. He was quickly noticed by the Belgian elite clubs. Vandenbergh could have gone to [[K.S.K. Beveren|Beveren]], [[K.F.C. Diest|Diest]] and [[K.S.C. Lokeren Oost-Vlaanderen|Lokeren]] but he chose the nearby [[Lierse S.K. (1906)|Lierse SK]], the club he had supported since he was a child.<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 July 2018 |title=Hoe is het met ... Erwin Vandenbergh |url=https://www.rtv.be/hoe-het-met-erwin-vandenbergh |website=rtv.be |language=nl}}</ref> Things went fast. After 6 months with the reserves, his career took off. The young Vandenbergh became the founder of Lierse's rise to the Belgian sub-top.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1 April 2020 |title=De « Sniper » |url=https://www.rsca.be/nl/news/de-sniper |website=rsca.be |language=nl}}</ref> The club was able to force European football in the [[1977–78 Belgian First Division|1977–78 season]] after finishing fourth in the standings.{{citation needed|date=March 2025}}

In the [[1979–80 Belgian First Division|1979–80 season]], Erwin Vandenbergh became the [[Belgian Pro League top scorers|national]] and [[European Golden Shoe|European top scorer]] with 39 goals, despite the fact that his team only finished sixth in the competition. [[Juventus FC|Juventus]], [[SSC Napoli|Naples]], [[Hamburger SV|Hamburg]] and [[FC Bayern Munich|Bayern Munich]] were angling for his services, without success. He also became top scorer in the [[1980–81 Belgian First Division|following season]] (24 goals) and in 1981 he won the [[Belgian Golden Shoe|Golden Shoe]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 June 2020 |title=Erwin Vandenbergh kreeg in Moulin Rouge als enige Belg ooit de Europese Gouden Schoen: “Ge hebt dat of ge hebt dat niet. En ik had het” |trans-title=Erwin Vandenbergh was the only Belgian to ever receive the European Golden Shoe at Moulin Rouge: “You either have it or you don't. And I had it” |url=https://www.nieuwsblad.be/cnt/dmf20200623_04999277 |website=[[Het Nieuwsblad]] |language=nl}}</ref> In the [[1981–82 Belgian First Division|1981–82 season]], he became Belgium's top scorer once more with 25 goals.

As a result of all that success, Lierse SK had to let their forward go to [[R.S.C. Anderlecht|Anderlecht]] for 60 million Belgian francs (1.5 million euros), a fortune at the time.<ref>{{Cite web |date=30 January 2025 |title=Lierse eert Gouden Schoen-winnaars tegen RWDM – Erwin Vandenbergh: "Tof dat jongere generaties me niet vergeten zijn" |trans-title=Lierse honours Golden Shoe winners against RWDM – Erwin Vandenbergh: "It's great that younger generations haven't forgotten me" |url=https://www.hln.be/sport-in-de-buurt/lierse-eert-gouden-schoen-winnaars-tegen-rwdm-erwin-vandenbergh-tof-dat-jongere-generaties-me-niet-vergeten-zijn~a81fa2613/ |website= |language=nl}}</ref>

=== Anderlecht ===
Anderlecht also bought forward [[Alexandre Czerniatynski|Alex Czerniatynski]] that season. The collaboration between the two was initially difficult. Erwin Vandenbergh could not thrive in the demanding “[[Tomislav Ivić|Ivic]] System”. When the Croat was fired 3 months later, Erwin Vandenbergh breathed a sigh of relief. Under the new coach, Anderlecht club icon [[Paul Van Himst]], things went well immediately.<ref name="100 jaar">Steegen, D. & Van Loock, S. (2008) ''100 jaar Royal Sporting Club Anderlecht''. Leuven: Uitgeverij Van Halewyck</ref> He became top scorer in the [[Belgian Pro League|national competition]] for the fourth time in a row, with 20 goals.

In his first season with the club, he also immediately won his first trophy with a team: the [[1982–83 UEFA Cup|UEFA Cup]]. He just missed the title of top scorer in that tournament, as [[Zoran Filipović]], player of their opponents in the [[1983 UEFA Cup final|final]] [[S.L. Benfica|Benfica]], had scored 1 time more with 8 goals.<ref>{{cite web |date=6 January 2025 |title=Anderlecht edge out Benfica to triumph |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/history/seasons/1982/statistics/ |access-date= |work=[[UEFA]] |language=}}</ref>

Vandenbergh won his first national title with Anderlecht in the [[1984–85 Belgian First Division|1984–85 season]]. The [[1984 UEFA Cup final|final]] of the [[1983–84 UEFA Cup|UEFA Cup]] was also reached again, but after penalties the trophy went to [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham]].<ref>{{cite web |date=6 January 2025 |title=Tottenham keep cool to dispatch Anderlecht |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/history/seasons/1983/statistics/ |access-date= |work=[[UEFA]] |language=}}</ref>

With the next trainer, problems arose again. The striker thought that the football was too defensive under coach [[Arie Haan]]. He scored less, although he still netted 27 goals in the [[1985–86 Belgian First Division|1985–86 season]] under the Dutchman. Anderlecht could also extend their title. When Haan left him out of the selection for most of the European Cup matches, his decision was made: he decided to leave, despite the fact that he still had one more season under contract. 

=== Lille ===
After the [[1986 FIFA World Cup|1986 World Cup]], he left for the [[French Flanders]] side Lille, which was trained by former Anderlecht star [[Georges Heylens]].<ref>{{cite web |date=20 December 2022 |title=Georges Heylens (ex-LOSC) : « Je ne garde que de bons souvenirs du LOSC » |url=https://lepetitlillois.com/2022/12/20/georges-heylens-ex-losc-je-ne-garde-que-de-bons-souvenirs-du-losc/ |access-date= |work=lepetitlillois.com |language=fr}}</ref> Despite an offer from [[Barcelona S.C.|Barcelona]], the home-loving Vandenbergh chose a team located close to the Belgian border. Although Vandenbergh would later consider rejecting the Barcelona contract as a mistake.<ref>{{Cite web |date=27 April 2020 |title=Erwin Vandenbergh, 40 jaar later nog steeds de enige Belgische Europese Gouden Schoen: “Ik heb enkel spijt dat ik een aanbod van Barcelona heb laten schieten” |trans-title=Erwin Vandenbergh, 40 years later still the only Belgian European Golden Shoe winner: “I only regret that I turned down an offer from Barcelona” |url=https://www.hln.be/voetbal/erwin-vandenbergh-40-jaar-later-nog-steeds-de-enige-belgische-europese-gouden-schoen-ik-heb-enkel-spijt-dat-ik-een-aanbod-van-barcelona-heb-laten-schieten~a181ea9a/ |website=[[Het Laatste Nieuws]] |language=nl}}</ref> 
{{Quote box
| quote = ‘’The only thing I regret in my whole career is that I turned down the offer from Barcelona ’'
| source = Vandenbergh in 2020<ref>{{cite web |date=6 July 2005 |title=Erwin Vandenbergh, 40 jaar later nog steeds de enige Belgische Europese Gouden Schoen: “Ik heb enkel spijt dat ik een aanbod van Barcelona heb laten schieten” |work=Het Laatste Nieuws|url=https://www.hln.be/voetbal/erwin-vandenbergh-40-jaar-later-nog-steeds-de-enige-belgische-europese-gouden-schoen-ik-heb-enkel-spijt-dat-ik-een-aanbod-van-barcelona-heb-laten-schieten~a181ea9a/?referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2F |publisher=[[Het Laatste Nieuws]] |language=nl}}</ref>
| bgcolor = #CCDDFF
| align = right
| width = 29%
| quoted = 1
}}

He would stay at the French club for four seasons, scoring 38 goals in the [[Ligue 1|Division 1]] and 44 overall. These numbers were generally below his standard. Lille was one of the lowest scoring teams in the competition, no trophies could be won and the club usually finished in the middle of the standings at its best. Coach Georges Heylens left at the end of the [[1989–90 French Division 1|1989–90]] season.<ref>{{cite web |date=14 May 2013 |title=G.Heylens:"Le LOSC et Anderlecht? Mes deux princesses!" |url=https://www.losc.fr/actualites-foot-lille/gheylensle-losc-et-anderlecht-mes-deux-princesses |access-date= |work=losc.fr |language=fr}}</ref>

=== Gent ===
In 1990, aged 31, Vandenbergh moved to Belgian side [[K.A.A. Gent|AA Gent]], coached by his former Anderlecht teammate [[René Vandereycken]]. During the [[1990–91 Belgian First Division|1990–91 season]], Gent was also leading the league after 24 games but ultimately had to let the title to his former team Anderlecht.<ref>{{cite web |date=4 May 2015 |title=Gent doet net zo goed als in 1991 met Viscaal en Vandenbergh |url=https://sporza.be/nl/2015/05/04/gent-doet-net-zo-goed-als-in-1991-met-viscaal-en-vandenbergh-1-2327898/ |access-date= |work=[[Sporza]] |language=nl}}</ref> Vandenbergh became top scorer for the sixth and final time, with 23 goals. In the [[1991–92 Belgian First Division|1991–92 season]], Gent surprisingly managed to reach the quarter finals of the [[1991–92 UEFA Cup|UEFA Cup]].<ref>{{cite web |date=17 February 2016 |title=Retro: AA Gent beleefde in 1991-1992 al Europese hoogdagen |url=https://sporza.be/nl/2016/02/17/retro_-aa-gent-beleefde-in-1991-1992-al-europese-hoogdagen-1-2575233/ |access-date= |work=[[Sporza]] |language=nl}}</ref>

=== RWD Molenbeek ===
After his contract with [[Standard Liège]] was not extended, coach René Vandereycken moved to Brussels side [[R.W.D. Molenbeek (1909)|RWDM]]. He convinced Erwin Vandenbergh to also make the transfer to the club. [[1994–95 Belgian First Division|Season 1994–95]] would be his only one at the club, and immediately his last as a professional footballer.<ref>{{cite web |date=15 January 2019 |title=De stille killer |trans-title=The silent killer |url=https://www.knack.be/sport/de-stille-killer/ |access-date= |work=knack.be |language=nl}}</ref>

== International career ==
Erwin Vandenbergh reached a sporting peak quite early, in 1979. At that time, he was the most productive forward in Europe. That did not go unnoticed by then national coach [[Guy Thys]] either. He selected the 20-year-old attacker for the [[Belgium national football team|Red Devils]]. His first international match was on 19 December 1979 against [[Scotland national football team|Scotland]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=26 January 2019 |title=VIDEO. Erwin Vandenbergh wordt zestig en kiest vijf van zijn mooiste goals: “Ik kan er nog vergeten zijn” |trans-title=VIDEO. Erwin Vandenbergh turns sixty and chooses five of his best goals: “I may have forgotten some” |url=https://www.hln.be/voetbal/video-erwin-vandenbergh-wordt-zestig-en-kiest-vijf-van-zijn-mooiste-goals-ik-kan-er-nog-vergeten-zijn~a87f71c9/ |website=[[Het Laatste Nieuws]] |language=nl}}</ref> Belgium won 1–3 and Vandenbergh scored once.<ref>{{Cite web |date=11 November 2017 |title=Het kanon van Erwin Vandenbergh: zes keer Belgisch topschutter en eeuwige glorie met treffer tegen Argentinië |trans-title=Erwin Vandenbergh's cannon: six times Belgian top scorer and eternal glory with goal against Argentina |url=https://www.hln.be/rode-duivels/het-kanon-van-erwin-vandenbergh-zes-keer-belgisch-topschutter-en-eeuwige-glorie-met-treffer-tegen-argentinie~ad93a291/ |website=[[Het Laatste Nieuws]] |language=nl}}</ref>

The successful debut made Vandenbergh a regular in the national team in no time. In 1980 he was allowed to go to the [[UEFA Euro 1980|European Championship]] in Italy. Belgium reached the final, but lost to [[Germany national football team|West Germany]]. Vandenbergh had played three times, but he did not score.

In the run-up to the [[1982 FIFA World Cup|1982 World Cup]] in Spain, Vandenbergh played seven [[1982 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group 2|World Cup Cup qualifying matches]] in which he scored five times. <ref>{{Cite web |date=4 June 2021 |title=Erwin Vandenbergh verrast wereldkampioen Argentinië op het WK van 1982 |trans-title=Erwin Vandenbergh surprises world champion Argentina at the 1982 World Cup |url=https://www.pickx.be/nl/2140467/17-erwin-vandenbergh-verrast-wereldkampioen-argentinie-op-het-wk-van-1982 |website=pickx.be |language=nl}}</ref> Belgium played the tournament opening match against reigning world champion [[Argentina national football team|Argentina]] in [[Camp Nou]], the stadium of FC Barcelona. Vandenbergh scored the only goal of the match after a long, crooked cross from [[Franky Vercauteren|Frank Vercauteren]]. Because of the importance of the goal and the cry of joy - Goaaaal, goal, goal! - from the Belgian reporter [[Rik De Saedeleer]], the goal went down in Belgian history as one of the most famous goals ever scored by the Red Devils.<ref>{{cite web |date=6 January 2023 |title="Daar is 'em, daar is 'em! Goaaal!": Exact 40 jaar geleden vloert Erwin Vandenbergh Argentinië |trans-title="There he is, there he is! Goaaaal!": Exactly 40 years ago Erwin Vandenbergh floors Argentina |url=https://sporza.be/nl/2022/06/13/-daar-is-em-daar-is-em-exact-40-jaar-geleden-vloert-erwin-vandenbergh-argentinie~1655112673185/ |access-date=6 January 2023 |work=[[Sporza]] |language=nl}}</ref> De Saedeleer's famous reaction later became the title of Vandenbergh's biography.<ref>{{cite web |date=6 March 2013 |title=Erwin Vandenbergh  - Goal! |url=https://www.deslegte.com/erwin-vandenbergh-goal-1633553/ |access-date= |work=deslegte.com |language=nl}}</ref> Belgium eventually won the [[1982 FIFA World Cup Group 3|group]], but were eliminated in the next round. [[Poland national football team|Poland]] and the [[Soviet Union national football team|Soviet Union]] proved too strong.<ref>{{cite web |date=6 January 2010 |title=World Cup 1982 finals |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tables/82full.html |access-date= |work=rsssf.org |language=}}</ref>

Vandenbergh was also present at the [[UEFA Euro 1984|1984 European Championship]]. Belgium had won silver at the previous European Championship, so expectations were high. Belgian coach Thys saw how his Red Devils started the tournament well. Vandenbergh scored a goal in the first game for the 2–0 victory against [[Yugoslavia national football team|Yugoslavia]]. But the Belgians only ended up third in the [[UEFA Euro 1984 Group 1|group stage]], after host country [[France national football team|France]] and [[Denmark national football team|Denmark]].<ref>{{cite web |date=24 June 2024 |title=Erwin Vandenbergh vertel over het EK in 1984 |url=https://www.knack.be/sport/voetbal/erwin-vandenbergh-over-het-ek-1984-negen-op-de-tien-matchen-startten-we-als-underdog/ |access-date= |work=[[Knack (magazine)|Knack]] |language=nl}}</ref>

At the [[1986 FIFA World Cup|1986 World Cup]] in Mexico, Vandenbergh was 27 years old. It would be his last international tournament with the Red Devils. Belgium got through the [[1986 FIFA World Cup Group B|group stage]] as the best third-placed team. Vandenbergh only played against [[Mexico national football team|Mexico]]. In that match, lost with 1–2, he scored the only Belgian goal.<ref>{{cite web |date=20 June 2024 |title=Erwin Vandenbergh Goal 45' {{!}} Belgium v Mexico {{!}} 1986 FIFA World Cup Mexico |url=https://www.plus.fifa.com/en/content/erwin-vandenbergh-goal-45-belgium-v-mexico-1986-fifa-world-cup-mexicotm-1986/55491727-db17-4590-a9ee-96503c45fd70?gl=be |access-date= |work=plus.fifa.com |language=}}</ref> Due to an injury, Vandenberg left the squad earlier than expected.<ref>{{cite web |date=31 May 2021 |title=Vandaag 35 jaar geleden, start Wereldkampioenschap voetbal 1986 in Mexico |url=https://gisterennogvandaag.wordpress.com/2021/05/31/vandaag-35-jaar-geleden-start-wereldkampioenschap-voetbal-1986-in-mexico/ |access-date= |work=gisterennogvandaag.wordpress.com |language=nl}}</ref> The Red Devils eventually reached the [[1986 FIFA World Cup knockout stage#Semi-finals|semi-finals]], but this time Argentina, with star player [[Diego Maradona|Maradona]], was too strong.<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 December 2022 |title=Why Diego Maradona against Belgium was his most complete display at the 1986 World Cup |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/3540424/2022/12/15/diego-maradona-belgium-1986-world-cup/ |website=nytimes.com |language=}}</ref> Belgium finished the World Cup in fourth place, the best result achieved by the Red Devils until [[2018 FIFA World Cup|2018]].<ref>{{cite web |date=6 January 2010 |title=World Cup 1986 |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tables/86full.html |access-date= |work=rsssf.org |language=}}</ref>

Belgium did not qualify for the [[UEFA Euro 1988|1988 European Championship]] and the then 31-year-old Vandenbergh was not called up for the [[1990 FIFA World Cup|1990 World Cup]]. He had been more or less forgotten at Lille. Guy Thys preferred [[Nico Claesen]] and attacking midfielders such as [[Jan Ceulemans]] and [[Marc Degryse]].<ref>{{cite web |date=4 March 2022 |title=Italia 1990 - Belgium preview |url=https://italia1990.com/uefa/group-7/belgium/preview/ |access-date= |work=italia1990.com |language=}}</ref> The non-selection seemed to be the end of Vandenbergh with the national team. But a strong season at KAA Gent brought him back into the spotlight. Vandenbergh was allowed to play in the [[UEFA Euro 1992|Euro 1992]] qualifying matches again and scored his last goal for the Red Devils at the age of 32.<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 February 2025 |title=Erwin Vandenbergh - Goals in International Matches |url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/vandenbergh-intlg.html |website=rsssf.org |language=}}</ref> That was in the match against [[Luxembourg national football team|Luxembourg]] on 27 February 1991, which was won 3–0.<ref>{{cite web |date=14 May 2019 |title=Erwin Vandenbergh |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/erwin-vandenbergh/ |access-date= |work=worldfootball.net |language=}}</ref>

== Style of play ==
Vandenbergh can be described as a typical example of a pure striker, capable of making the actions himself but above all instinctively feeling where to position himself to score a goal. Author Raf Willems described him as "A phenomenal finisher but at the same time elegant and aesthetic in his movements. With insight as his greatest quality, as an instinctive gift.".<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 May 2024 |title=9 september 1981: België – Frankrijk 2-0, de mooiste van het Guy Thystijdperk volgens Erwin Vandenbergh |url=https://boeken.cafe/9-september-1981-belgi-frankrijk-2-0-de-mooiste-van-het-guy-thystijdperk-volgens-erwin-vandenbergh/ |website=boeken.cafe |language=nl}}</ref>

== Career statistics ==
===Club===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+Appearances and goals by club, season and competition<ref>{{cite web |title=Erwin Vandenbergh " Club matches |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/erwin-vandenbergh/ |access-date= |website=WorldFootball.net |language=}}</ref>
! rowspan="2" |Club
! rowspan="2" |Season
! colspan="3" |League
! colspan="2" |National cup{{efn|Includes [[Belgian Cup]], [[Coupe de France]]}}
! colspan="2" |Europe
! colspan="2" |Total
|-
!Division
!Apps
!Goals
!Apps
!Goals
!Apps
!Goals
!Apps
!Goals
|-
| rowspan="7" |[[Lierse S.K. (1906)|Lierse]]
||[[1976–77 Belgian First Division|1976–77]]
|[[Belgian First Division|First Division]]
|14
|2
| colspan="2" |—
| colspan="2" |—
|14
|2
|-
|[[1977–78 Belgian First Division|1977–78]]
|First Division
|34
|12
|4
|4
| colspan="2" |—
|38
|16
|-
||[[1978–79 Belgian First Division|1978–79]]
|First Division
|32
|15
|1
|0
|5{{efn|name=IC|Two appearances in [[UEFA Cup]]; three appearances in [[UEFA Intertoto Cup]]}}
|2
|38
|17
|-
||[[1979–80 Belgian First Division|1979–80]]
|First Division
|34
|39
|1
|1
| colspan="2" |—
|35
|40
|-
||[[1980–81 Belgian First Division|1980–81]]
|First Division
|33
|24
|4
|2
| colspan="2" |—
|37
|26
|-
||[[1981–82 Belgian First Division|1981–82]]
|First Division
|31
|25
|3
|1
| colspan="2" |—
|34
|26
|-
! colspan="2" |Total
!178
!117
!13
!8
!5
!2
!196
!127
|-
|rowspan="5"|[[R.S.C. Anderlecht|Anderlecht]]
|[[1982–83 Belgian First Division|1982–83]]
|First Division
|32
|20
|3
|2
|12{{efn|name=UC|Appearances in [[UEFA Cup]]}}
|7
|47
|29
|-
|[[1983–84 Belgian First Division|1983–84]]
|First Division
|29
|20
|2
|1
|9{{efn|name=UC|Appearances in [[UEFA Cup]]}}
|4
|40
|25
|-
|[[1984–85 Belgian First Division|1984–85]]
|First Division
|29
|20
|5
|5
|3{{efn|name=UC|Appearances in [[UEFA Cup]]}}
|3
|37
|28
|-
|[[1985–86 Belgian First Division|1985–86]]
|First Division
|31
|27
|2
|2
|5{{efn|name=UCL|Appearances in [[UEFA Champions League|European Champion Clubs' Cup]]}}
|1
|38
|30
|-
! colspan="2" |Total
!121
!87
!12
!10
!29
!15
!162
!112
|-
| rowspan="5" |[[Lille OSC|Lille]]
||[[1986–87 French Division 1|1986–87]]
|[[Ligue 1|Division 1]]
|28
|8
|3
|1
| colspan="2" |—
|31
|9
|-
||[[1987–88 French Division 1|1987–88]]
|Division 1
|30
|11
|6
|2
| colspan="2" |—
|36
|13
|-
||[[1988–89 French Division 1|1988–89]]
|Division 1
|31
|14
|4
|1
| colspan="2" |—
|35
|15
|-
||[[1989–90 French Division 1|1989–90]]
|Division 1
|25
|5
|3
|2
| colspan="2" |—
|28
|17
|-
! colspan="2" |Total
!114
!38
!16
!6
!0
!0
!130
!44
|-
| rowspan="5" |[[K.A.A. Gent|AA Gent]]
|[[1990–91 Belgian First Division|1990–91]]
|First Division
|34
|23
|1
|0
| colspan="2" |—
|35
|23
|-
|[[1991–92 Belgian First Division|1991–92]]
|First Division
|33
|11
|6
|0
|7{{efn|name=UC|Appearances in [[UEFA Cup]]}}
|2
|46
|13
|-
|[[1992–93 Belgian First Division|1992–93]]
|First Division
|21
|9
|1
|0
| colspan="2" |—
|22
|9
|-
|[[1993–94 Belgian First Division|1993–94]]
|First Division
|22
|4
| colspan="2" |—
| colspan="2" |—
|22
|4
|-
! colspan="2" |Total
!110
!47
!8
!0
!7
!2
!125
!49
|-
|[[R.W.D. Molenbeek (1909)|RWDM]]
|[[1994–95 Belgian First Division|1994–95]]
|First Division
|21
|4
|1
|0
| colspan="2" |—
|22
|4
|-
! colspan="3" |Career total
!544
!290
!50
!24
!41
!19
!635
!333
|}
{{notelist}}

=== International ===

{| class="wikitable"
! rowspan="2" width="80" |National
Team
! rowspan="2" width="60" |Year
! colspan="2" width="80" |[[FIFA|Friendlies]]
! colspan="2" width="80" |[[FIFA World Cup|World Cup]]
! colspan="2" width="80" |[[UEFA European Football Championship|European Championships]]
! colspan="2" width="80" |Total
|- style="text-align:center;"
! width="40" |{{Tooltip|Apps|Games played}}
! width="40" abbr="Goals against" |{{Tooltip|Goals|Goals scored}}
! width="40" |{{Tooltip|Apps|Games played}}
! width="40" abbr="Goals against" |{{Tooltip|Goals|Goals scored}}
! width="40" |{{Tooltip|Apps|Games played}}
! width="40" abbr="Goals against" |{{Tooltip|Goals|Goals scored}}
! width="40" |{{Tooltip|Apps|Total Games Played}}
! width="40" abbr="Goals against" |{{Tooltip|Goals|Total Goals Scored}}
|- style="text-align:center;"
| rowspan="13" align="center" valign="center" |[[Belgium national football team|Belgium]]
<ref>{{cite news |date=31 March 2011 |title=Erwin Vandenbergh - Footballer stats by year |url=https://eu-football.info/_player.php?id=6716 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://eu-football.info/_player.php?id=21876 |archive-date=9 March 2016 |access-date=4 February 2016 |publisher=eu-football}}</ref>
|1979
| colspan="2" |—
|1
|1
| colspan="2" |—
|1
|1
|- style="text-align:center;"
|1980
|3
|3
| colspan="2" |—
|4
|3
|9
|5
|- style="text-align:center;"
|1981
|1
|0
| colspan="2" |—
|4
|3
|5
|3
|- style="text-align:center;"
|1982
|3
|1
|2
|2
|5
|1
|10
|4
|- style="text-align:center;"
|1983
|1
|0
|3
|2
| colspan="2" |—
|4
|2
|- style="text-align:center;"
|1984
|1
|0
|3
|1
| colspan="2" |—
|4
|1
|- style="text-align:center;"
|1985
| colspan="2" |—
| colspan="2" |—
|4
|1
|4
|1
|- style="text-align:center;"
|1986
|2
|1
|1
|2
|1
|1
|4
|2
|- style="text-align:center;"
|1987
|1
|0
|1
|0
| colspan="2" |—
|2
|0
|- style="text-align:center;"
|1988
|1
|0
| colspan="2" |—
| colspan="2" |—
|1
|0
|- style="text-align:center;"
|1989
| colspan="2" |—
| colspan="2" |—
| colspan="2" |—
|0
|0
|- style="text-align:center;"
|1990
|1
|0
| colspan="2" |—
| colspan="2" |—
|1
|0
|- style="text-align:center;"
|1991
|1
|0
|2
|1
| colspan="2" |—
|3
|1
|- style="text-align:center;"
! colspan="2" align="left" |Total
! align="left" |15
! align="left" |5
! align="left" |16
! align="left" |7
! align="left" |17
! align="left" |8
! align="left" |48
! align="left" |20
|}
:''Scores and results list Belgium's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Vandenbergh goal.''
{| class="wikitable"
|+List of international goals scored by Erwin Vandenbergh
!{{Abbr|No.|Number}}
![[Cap (sport)|Cap]]
!Date
!Venue
!Opponent
!Score
!Result
!Competition
|-
|'''1'''
|1
|19 December 1979
|[[Hampden Park]], Glasgow, Scotland
|{{fb|SCO}}
|'''1'''–0|| {{won|3–1}} 
|[[UEFA Euro 1980 qualifying Group 2|Euro 1980 qualification]]
|-
|'''2'''
|rowspan="2"| 2
|rowspan="2"|17 February 1980
|rowspan="2"|[[Stade Josy Barthel|Stade Municipal]], Luxembourg, Luxembourg
|rowspan="2"|{{fb|LUX}}
|'''1'''–0
|rowspan="2"{{won|5–0}} 
|rowspan="2"|[[Exhibition game|Friendly]]
|-
|'''3'''
|'''3'''–0
|-
|'''4'''
|4
|2 April 1980
|[[King Baudouin Stadium|Heysel Stadium]], Brussels, Belgium
|{{fb|POL}}
|'''2'''–0|| {{won|2–1}} 
|[[Exhibition game|Friendly]]
|-
|'''5'''
|9
|19 November 1980
|[[King Baudouin Stadium|Heysel Stadium]], Brussels, Belgium
|{{fb|NED}}
|'''1'''–0 {{double dagger|alt=Penalty}}|| {{won|1–0}} 
|[[1982 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group 2|1982 World Cup qualification]]
|-
|'''6'''
|10
|21 December 1980
|[[Makario Stadium]], Nicosia, Cyprus
|{{fb|CYP}}
|'''1'''–0 || {{won|2–0}} 
|[[1982 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group 2|1982 World Cup qualification]]
|-
|'''7'''
|11
|18 February 1981
|[[King Baudouin Stadium|Heysel Stadium]], Brussels, Belgium
|{{fb|CYP}}
|'''2'''–0 || {{won|3–2}} 
|[[1982 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group 2|1982 World Cup qualification]]
|-
|'''8'''
|13
|29 April 1981
|[[Parc des Princes]], Paris, Brussels
|{{fb|FRA}}
|0–'''1''' || {{lost|2–3}} 
|[[1982 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group 2|1982 World Cup qualification]]
|-
|'''9'''
|14
|9 September 1981
|[[King Baudouin Stadium|Heysel Stadium]], Brussels, Belgium
|{{fb|FRA}}
|'''2'''–0 || {{won|2–0}} 
|[[1982 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group 2|1982 World Cup qualification]]
|-
|'''10'''
|17
|28 April 1982
|[[King Baudouin Stadium|Heysel Stadium]], Brussels, Belgium
|{{fb|BUL}}
|'''1'''–0 || {{won|2–1}} 
|[[Exhibition game|Friendly]]
|-
|'''11'''
|19
|11 June 1982
|[[Camp Nou|Estadi del Futbol Club Barcelona]], Barcelona, Spain
|{{fb|ARG}}
|'''1'''–0 || {{won|1–0}} 
|[[1982 FIFA World Cup|1982 World Cup]] - [[1982 FIFA World Cup Group 3|Group stage]]
|-
|'''12'''
|24
|6 October 1982
|[[King Baudouin Stadium|Heysel Stadium]], Brussels, Belgium
|{{fb|SWI}}
|'''3'''–0|| {{won|3–0}} 
|[[UEFA Euro 1984 qualifying Group 2|Euro 1984 qualification]]
|-
|'''13'''
|25
|15 December 1982
|[[King Baudouin Stadium|Heysel Stadium]], Brussels, Belgium
|{{fb|SCO}}
|'''1'''–1|| {{won|3–2}} 
|[[UEFA Euro 1984 qualifying Group 2|Euro 1984 qualification]]
|-
|'''14'''
|26
|30 March 1983
|[[Zentralstadion]], Leipzig, East Germany
|{{fb|DDR}}
|'''2'''–0|| {{won|2–1}} 
|[[UEFA Euro 1984 qualifying Group 2|Euro 1984 qualification]]
|-
|'''15'''
|29
|6 October 1982
|[[Wankdorfstadion]], Bern, Switserland
|{{fb|SWI}}
|'''1'''–1|| {{lost|1–3}} 
|[[UEFA Euro 1984 qualifying Group 2|Euro 1984 qualification]]
|-
|'''16'''
|31
|13 June 1984
|[[Stade Bollaert-Delelis|Stade Félix Bollaert]], Lens, France
|{{fb|YUG}}
|'''1'''–0|| {{won|2–0}} 
|[[UEFA Euro 1984]] - [[UEFA Euro 1984 Group 1|Group stage]]
|-
|'''17'''
|35
|1 May 1985
|[[King Baudouin Stadium|Heysel Stadium]], Brussels, Belgium
|{{fb|POL}}
|'''1'''–0 || {{won|2–0}} 
|[[1986 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group 1|1986 World Cup qualification]]
|-
|'''18'''
|38
|23 April 1986
|[[King Baudouin Stadium|Heysel Stadium]], Brussels, Belgium
|{{fb|BUL}}
|'''2'''–0 || {{won|2–0}} 
|[[Exhibition game|Friendly]]
|-
|'''19'''
|40
|9 June 1986
|[[Estadio Azteca]], Mexico City, Mexico
|{{fb|MEX}}
|'''1'''–2 || {{lost|1–2}} 
|[[1986 FIFA World Cup|1986 World Cup]] - [[1986 FIFA World Cup Group B|Group stage]]
|-
|'''20'''
|48
|27 March 1991
|[[Constant Vanden Stock Stadium]], Anderlecht, Belgium
|{{fb|LUX}}
|'''1'''–0|| {{won|3–0}} 
|[[UEFA Euro 1992 qualifying Group 5|Euro 1992 qualification]]
|}
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+Key
! scope="row" style="text-align:center" |{{double dagger|alt=Penalty}}
|Indicates goal was scored from a [[Penalty kick (association football)|penalty kick]]
|}

== Honours ==
'''Anderlecht<ref name="eurosport32">{{cite web|title=RSC Anderlecht {{!}} Palmares|url=https://www.rsca.be/nl/club/palmares}}</ref>'''
* [[Belgian Pro League|Belgian First Division]]: [[1984–85 Belgian First Division|1984–85]], [[1985–86 Belgian First Division|1985–86]]
* [[Belgian Super Cup]]: 1985
* [[UEFA Europa League|UEFA Cup]]: [[1982–83 UEFA Cup|1982–83]]; runners-up [[1983–84 UEFA Cup|1983–84]]
* [[Jules Pappaert Cup]]: 1977, 1983, 1985'''<ref name="eurosport324">{{cite web|title=Jules Pappaert Cup|url=https://www.dhnet.be/sports/football/le-trophee-pappaert-c-est-reparti-5bb21893cd70a16d8128c4d6}}</ref>'''
* [[Bruges Matins (football)|Bruges Matins]]: 1985'''<ref name="eurosport3233">{{cite web|title=Winnaars Brugse Metten|url=http://users.skynet.be/rfcb-web/va-brmetten.htm}}</ref>'''

'''Belgium'''
* [[UEFA European Championship]]: runners-up [[UEFA Euro 1980|1980]]<ref name="eurosport">{{cite web|title=UEFA Euro 1980|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/history/seasons/1980/matches/}}</ref>
* [[FIFA World Cup]]: fourth place [[1986 FIFA World Cup|1986]]<ref name="eurosport2">{{cite web|title=FIFA 1986 World Cup|url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/mexico1986/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160605153554/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/mexico1986/|url-status=dead|archive-date=5 June 2016}}</ref>
* [[Belgian National Sports Merit Award|Belgian Sports Merit Award]]: 1980<ref name="eurosport4">{{cite web|title=Nationale Trofee voor Sportverdienste|url=https://www.standaard.be/cnt/dmf20191107_04705232}}</ref>

'''Individual'''
* [[Belgian First Division A top scorers|Belgian First Division top scorer]]: [[1979–80 Belgian First Division|1979–80]] (39 goals), [[1980–81 Belgian First Division|1980–81]] (24 goals), [[1981–82 Belgian First Division|1981–82]] (25 goals), [[1982–83 Belgian First Division|1982–83]] (20 goals), [[1985–86 Belgian First Division#Topscorers|1985–86]] (27 goals), [[1990–91 Belgian First Division#Topscorers|1990–91]] (23 goals)'''<ref name="eurosport323">{{cite web|title=Topscorer Eerste Klasse|url=https://www.voetbal.com/topscoorders/bel-eerste-klasse-a/}}</ref>'''
* [[European Golden Shoe]]: 1979–80 (39 goals)'''<ref name="eurosport322">{{cite web|title=A History of European Golden Shoe Award + Winners List|url=https://sportmob.com/en/article/843055-a-history-of-european-golden-shoe-award-winners-list}}</ref>'''
* [[Ballon d'Or]] nominations: [[1980 Ballon d'Or|1980]],<ref name="Yashin Award3">{{cite web|title=Ballon d'Or 1980|url=https://www.francefootball.fr/news/1980-k-h-rummenigge/423420}}</ref> [[1983 Ballon d'Or|1983]]<ref name="Yashin Award33">{{cite web|title=Ballon d'Or 1983|url=https://www.francefootball.fr/news/1983-michel-platini/423425}}</ref>
* [[Belgian Golden Shoe]]: 1981<ref name="Yashin Award2">{{cite web|title=Winnaars Gouden Schoen|url=https://www.nieuwsblad.be/cnt/dmf20120111_213}}</ref>
*[[List of UEFA Cup and Europa League top scorers#Winners by seasons|UEFA Cup top scorer]]: 1982–83 (seven goals)<ref>{{Cite web|title=Fairs/UEFA Cup Topscorers|url=https://www.rsssf.org/ec/ec3tops.html|access-date=2020-11-08|website=[[RSSSF]]}}</ref>
* [[UEFA Euro 1984 qualifying]]: [[UEFA Euro 1984 qualifying Group 1|Group 1 top scorer]] (four goals)
*[[:nl:KAA Gent (voetbalclub)#Jean-Claude Bouvy-trofee|Best AA Gent-Player of the Season]]: 1990–91<ref>{{Cite web|title=Erelijst Trofee Jean-Claude Bouvy|url=https://www.nieuwsblad.be/cnt/dmf20150519_01689059|access-date=2020-11-08|website=Het Nieuwsblad|language=nl-BE}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{FIFA player}}
* {{UEFA player}}
* {{RBFA player}}
* {{WorldFootball.net}}

{{Navboxes
|title = Belgium squads
|bg = #D4071A
|fg = #FFCE4A
|bordercolor = Black
|list1 =
{{Belgium Squad Euro 1980}}
{{Belgium Squad 1982 World Cup}}
{{Belgium Squad Euro 1984}}
{{Belgium Squad 1986 World Cup}}
}}
{{K.V.C. Westerlo managers}}
{{European Golden Shoe}}
{{Belgian First Division top scorers}}
{{Belgian Golden Shoe}}
{{UEFA Europa League top scorers}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Vandenbergh, Erwin}}
[[Category:1959 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Herselt]]
[[Category:Belgian men's footballers]]
[[Category:Men's association football forwards]]
[[Category:Belgium men's international footballers]]
[[Category:Belgian Pro League players]]
[[Category:Lierse S.K. players]]
[[Category:R.S.C. Anderlecht players]]
[[Category:Lille OSC players]]
[[Category:Ligue 1 players]]
[[Category:Belgian expatriate men's footballers]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in France]]
[[Category:K.A.A. Gent players]]
[[Category:R.W.D. Molenbeek (1909) players]]
[[Category:UEFA Euro 1980 players]]
[[Category:1982 FIFA World Cup players]]
[[Category:UEFA Euro 1984 players]]
[[Category:1986 FIFA World Cup players]]
[[Category:UEFA Europa League–winning players]]
[[Category:Footballers from Antwerp Province]]
[[Category:Belgian expatriate sportspeople in France]]
[[Category:K.V.C. Westerlo managers]]
[[Category:20th-century Belgian sportsmen]]