KV Kortrijk pulled off a narrow 1-0 victory against Cercle Brugge on February 23, 2025, thanks to Jean-Kévin Duverne's pivotal goal, which was confirmed after lengthy VAR intervention. This match, held at the Guldensporenstadion, was not only a clash of two struggling teams near the bottom of the league but also marked the debut of coach Bernd Storck for Kortrijk, tasked with steering the club away from relegation dangers.
The intense face-off began with high stakes from the outset. Both teams were desperate for points; Kortrijk was languishing at fifteenth place, and Cercle Brugge was just two spots above them. With the temperature high on the pitch, the match saw its first goal within the first minutes when Duverne scored, only for the referee Lothar D'Hondt to disallow it after citing a foul during the build-up. This incited immediate protests from the Kortrijk players and coaching staff.
What followed was nothing short of dramatic. The VAR team, called to review the decision, took seven minutes before overturning the initial call. They disregarded the foul and focused instead on whether Duverne was offside. The crowd held its collective breath as the delay drew out—was it really going to be this complex for such a simple goal?
After what seemed like ages, D'Hondt confirmed the goal, much to the delight of the home fans. Duverne’s header, set up by Jason Dejaegere's free-kick, marked his third goal of the season. The atmosphere shifted as Kortrijk took the lead, pushing them momentarily out of the danger zone.
The first half continued with both sides battling fiercely for control. Despite the setback, Cercle Brugge surged forward, creating several chances with players like Magnée making notable pushes. Yet, they could not convert their opportunities, often met with stout defending from the Kortrijk backline.
Storck’s side, with newfound optimism from their coach, started the second half with greater intent but struggled to find the finishing touch. Ambrose and Karim attempted multiple times to extend the lead, but the visitors’ defense held firm. The game was punctuated by several injuries and stoppages, making for a chaotic viewing experience.
For Cercle Brugge, the task at hand was monumental. Under coach Feldhofer, the team needed to rally back—not just for the sake of the match but for the confidence correction the players desperately needed. They still posed threats, using set-pieces and quick breaks to challenge Kortrijk, which added to the feeling of unpredictability throughout the contest.
With the clock ticking down, the officials continued to call for caution as fouls mounted. Players from both teams were booked, reflecting the intense nature of the relegation battle. Dejaegere had to rhythmically re-adjust his game after every stop, attempting to maintain Kortrijk’s advantage.
Despite the strains of the game, Kortrijk kept its composure, relying on solid goalkeeper Mark Mampassi to make several key saves, keeping their lead intact. The final whistle blew, sealing the victory for the home team and putting them one step closer to safety.
Cercle Brugge left the field disappointed, pondering what they could have done differently. Coach Feldhofer noted, “It’s unfortunate to have missed Hannes Van Der Bruggen today; injuries have sidelined us too often.”
Meanwhile, Storck expressed cautious optimism post-match, emphasizing the importance of building upon this victory: “I bring optimism to the club, and everyone must be on board. That’s how we survived my previous tenure here, and we can do it again.”
The victory marked more than just three points for Kortrijk; it represented hope and the potential for recovery. With the fight against relegation intensifying, both teams left the field aware of the heavy tasks still lying ahead of them.