KV Kortrijk kept their hopes of survival in the Jupiler Pro League alive with a vital 2-0 victory over local rivals Cercle Brugge on Saturday, May 3, 2025. The win came during the Relegation Play-offs and was crucial for Kortrijk, who needed to bounce back after a disappointing loss to Beerschot the previous week.
From the outset, Kortrijk showed intent, with captain Nayel Mehssatou opening the scoring just eleven minutes into the match. The Chilean slalomed through the Cercle defense before unleashing a powerful shot that found the back of the net, marking his third goal in the Relegation Play-offs. The early goal set the tone for the match, as Kortrijk dominated the early exchanges.
Cercle Brugge, who had entered the match with a slight edge in the standings, struggled to find their rhythm. Their best chance in the first half came from Ravych, who was involved in a controversial moment when he was adjudged to have fouled Ambrose in the penalty area. Referee Lothar D’Hondt pointed to the spot, allowing Abdelkahar Kadri to double Kortrijk's lead with a calm finish from the penalty spot just before halftime.
As the second half unfolded, the home team attempted to regroup. Cercle Brugge came out with renewed energy, but despite their efforts, they could not break through Kortrijk's solid defense. Ravych had a golden opportunity to pull one back, but his shot struck the post, leaving the home fans frustrated.
Kortrijk’s victory leaves them with 36 points in the Relegation Play-offs, still in third place behind Cercle Brugge, who have 39 points, and STVV, who sit on 37 points. The situation remains precarious for Kortrijk, who will now be watching closely as STVV faces Beerschot on Sunday, May 4, 2025. A win for STVV would seal Kortrijk's fate, sending them down to the Challenger Pro League.
After the match, coach Bernd Storck expressed his pride in the team’s performance under pressure. "I am very happy with my team. Hats off to how they handled the pressure. We started the match with confidence and left the slip-up against Beerschot behind us. If we are not relegated tomorrow, I see our future looking bright," he said.
On the other side, Hannes Van der Bruggen, a player for Cercle, lamented his team’s lack of aggression. "I hope everyone is very angry. We knew this was a key match, and we said we had to start sharp, but Kortrijk was much more aggressive. There were things that shouldn’t have happened," he stated.
As the dust settles on this critical match, Kortrijk will be hoping for a favorable outcome in the STVV-Beerschot clash, while Cercle Brugge must regroup as they prepare for the final stretch of the season. The stakes are high, and every point counts as the teams fight for their place in the top tier of Belgian football.
In summary, Kortrijk's performance was a testament to their determination to stay in the league. With a strong showing against their rivals and key goals from Mehssatou and Kadri, they have given themselves a fighting chance. However, the outcome of tomorrow's match will ultimately decide their fate.
