In a thrilling encounter at the Guldensporenstadion on Sunday, March 30, 2025, Cercle Brugge faced a challenging match against KV Kortrijk, ultimately ending in a dramatic 2-2 draw. The stakes were high for Cercle, who were eager to avoid their first defeat in the Relegation play-offs, and they began the match with a strong intent to dominate.
Cercle Brugge, regarded as the favorites, struggled against a determined Kortrijk side, who were buoyed by their passionate home crowd. The match kicked off with Cercle showing promise early on, boasting significant ball possession and creating several threatening opportunities. Ngoura was particularly active, demonstrating his skills and posing a challenge to the Kortrijk defense. However, despite their early efforts, they could not find the back of the net.
It was KV Kortrijk who struck first, with Bram Lagae scoring a goal from a corner kick. This early goal put pressure on Cercle Brugge, who were now trailing 1-0. As the game progressed, tensions flared when Kortrijk's Kadri clashed with Cercle's Utkus, prompting referee Lawrence Visser to intervene. In a moment of theatrics, Utkus fell to the ground after a light push from Visser, leading to a stern warning from the referee. "Jongens, laat me heel duidelijk zijn. Nee, ik ben aan het woord," Visser snapped back at Kadri, emphasizing that he would not tolerate such behavior during the match.
Despite the setback, Cercle Brugge continued to press forward in search of an equalizer. However, just when it seemed they might find their footing, another twist occurred. Kadri thought he had doubled Kortrijk's lead, but the goal was disallowed by VAR due to a handball, much to the relief of the visiting team.
The momentum shifted when Lagae received a red card for a foul on Hans Somers, leaving Kortrijk with ten men. This presented an opportunity for Cercle Brugge to capitalize, and they entered the second half with renewed vigor. Coach Jimmy De Wulf hoped for a turnaround, but the initial minutes of the second half were marked by hesitation and sloppy play from his squad.
Just when it seemed that Cercle Brugge would struggle to find the equalizer, a moment of brilliance from Agyekum turned the tide. He executed a stunning play, skillfully maneuvering past defenders and sending a well-placed shot past Kortrijk's goalkeeper, Pirard, to level the score at 1-1. This goal invigorated the visiting side, who now sensed an opportunity to take control of the match.
As the match continued, Cercle Brugge began to dominate possession, making it increasingly difficult for Kortrijk to respond. With ten minutes remaining, captain Thibo Somers found the net with a powerful strike, putting Cercle ahead 2-1. The visitors were on the brink of victory, and the excitement in the air was palpable.
However, the drama was far from over. In the dying moments of the game, Kadri, who had been a thorn in Cercle's side throughout the match, managed to score a late equalizer for Kortrijk, ensuring that the match ended in a 2-2 draw. This unexpected turn of events left both teams with mixed emotions as they reflected on a match filled with intensity and unpredictability.
The draw means that Cercle Brugge remains in a precarious position in the Relegation play-offs, needing to rally in their upcoming matches to secure their place in the league. Meanwhile, Kortrijk will take heart from their late equalizer and the resilience they showed in the face of adversity.
As fans continue to discuss the match, the latest episode of the podcast 'Tijd voor Voetbal' has sparked conversations about the broader implications of this match, including the performances of the national team, the recent coaching changes at RSC Anderlecht and Cercle Brugge, and the standout displays by players like Hans Vanaken from Club Brugge and Kos Karetsas from KRC Genk during the international break.
The Relegation play-offs continue to provide drama and excitement, and as teams vie for survival, every match will be crucial. With the stakes higher than ever, fans can expect more thrilling encounters in the weeks to come.
