On March 2, 2025, Anderlecht secured a decisive 2-0 victory against Standard Liege at the Stade Maurice Dufrasne. The win was marked by standout performances from Thorgan Hazard and Nilson Angulo, with Hazard scoring the opening goal and Angulo sealing the victory.
The match began with both teams eager to assert dominance, but it quickly devolved, particularly during the first half, which was characterized by countless midfield tussles and little attacking threat. Although Anderlecht was under pressure due to their previous defeat against Union Saint-Gilloise, they displayed strategy and composure, maintaining the bulk of possession.
Both teams faced difficulty breaking down defenses, resulting in little offensive action. The first real scoring opportunity did not arise until the 28th minute, when Anderlecht's Augustinsson took his chance from the edge of the box, forcing Standard's goalkeeper Bazunu to make a superb save.
After the underwhelming first half, where neither side could find the back of the net, the game saw momentum shift somewhat after the break. Standard initiated several attacks, pressing hard and finally putting their first shot on target. Zeqiri's header was easily caught by Anderlecht's goalkeeper Coosemans.
It was near the hour mark when the game's defining moment arrived. Hazard, who had been quiet throughout much of the match, found inspiration and curled a sublime shot from outside the box to make it 1-0. The goal, which was nothing short of spectacular, seemed to be out of sync with the overall quality of the match.
An ever-intensifying atmosphere filled the stadium after the goal, with Standard being pushed to respond. They attempted to mount pressure with strides forward, but their efforts were thwarted by Anderlecht's resilient defense, demonstrating tactical discipline and efficiency.
Despite Standard's attempts to equalize, the absence of clinical finishing proved detrimental. The Rouches struggled to convert their few chances, reflecting on their lower ranking in recent matches, where they had lost momentum. Defender Ibe Hautekiet remarked, "Dit doet zeer. We moeten ons aan ons plan houden," expressing his disappointment yet also acknowledging areas for improvement.
With only moments left to play, Anderlecht managed to doubles their score. After fleeter movements orchestrated by Edozie, Angulo was able to find the net, scoring the final point of the match and confirming their win at 2-0.
This victory confirmed Anderlecht's position within the Champions' Play-offs, proudly marking their readiness for the next stage. On the other hand, Standard's chances of making the playoffs now appear grim, needing to make up points against their competitors to clinch their desired playoff spot.
With the final whistle, Anderlecht's coach David Hubert and his team celebrated the hard-fought win, along with sending a message to the league, stating their resilience and readiness to compete at higher levels. The game, albeit disappointing for Standard Liege, indicates the necessity for reevaluation and determination as they approach their final games of the season, fighting to reclaim their standing.
Attendees of the match, albeit several anxious moments coupled with insufficient engagement, will reminisce about Hazard's breathtaking strike, perhaps overshadowing the overall lack of quality witnessed during the clash. Fans anticipate significant changes heading forward, hoping Standard can regain lost momentum and fervor before the end of the season.