Antwerp spoils Cercle Brugge’s birthday party and takes its first points

Cercle Brugge failed to celebrate its 125th anniversary with a home victory. Antwerp won with the smallest difference in Jan Breydel.

Cercle Brugge celebrated its 125th anniversary just before the match against Antwerp, but on the field the field was not that big. Antwerp had a hard time with the high pressure from Cercle Brugge.

The national champion came out a few times, so Janssen was able to connect twice. He failed to get past goalkeeper Warleson twice. It also claimed a penalty for a foul by Van der Bruggen on Ondrejka, but the referee and VAR saw it differently.

The home team also had some chances in the first half. Denkey let a good cross pass under his foot and Van der Bruggen’s shot went just wide. So 0-0 at half time.

Ejuke gives Antwerp the three points

Both teams had chances again in the second half. Minda and Denkey could not score for Cercle, Bataille and Ejuke missed it for Antwerp. After just over an hour it was the prize for Antwerp.

After a short corner, Ejuke dived into the sixteen and pushed the ball past Warleson from close range. The first goal for Antwerp in these Champions’ Play-offs. Cercle then continued to push, but they were no longer able to score.

With a 0-1 win, Antwerp takes its first points in the Champions’ Play-offs and jumps over Cercle to fifth place. Both teams are now four points behind Club Brugge, which will soon play against Union.