Racing Genk reaffirmed their dominance at the top of the Belgian Pro League table with a convincing 2-0 victory over Anderlecht, bouncing back strongly after last week's defeat against Club Brugge. The match held at the Cegeka Arena saw Genk adopt fresh tactics, with coach Wouter Vrancken bringing four new players, including Cuesta and Karetsas, to the starting line-up. The home team quickly established their intent, coming close to scoring within the first five minutes, with Coosemans denying Tolu with a strong save.
It wasn't until the half-hour mark when Genk broke the deadlock; Tolu, receiving another assist from El Ouahdi, put the ball past Coosemans, making it 1-0. Despite some haphazard play from both sides, Genk maintained their advantage going to halftime. They continued to control the game but spurned several opportunities, with Coosemans performing heroics to keep Anderlecht's hopes alive.
The pivotal moment came when Karetsas scored his first goal for Genk, sealing the win at 2-0. Genk celebrated their ninth consecutive home victory, cementing their place as league leaders, leaving Anderlecht disappointed as they failed to capitalize on their chances.
Meanwhile, Club Brugge displayed resilience by coming from two goals down to secure a 2-2 draw against Union. Under coach Nicky Hayen, Brugge struggled initially, but they adjusted their game mid-match, showcasing attacking ambition with five forwards on the pitch during the second half. Although Union’s Ivanovic opened the scoring, Brugge’s Nilsson equalized shortly after Talbi’s introduction, demonstrating the squad’s fighting spirit.
With the pressure on Mignolet, Brugge’s goalkeeper had to pull off immense saves, showcasing the high-stakes nature of the match. While Brugge may feel satisfied with their comeback, Union’s frustrations were palpable as they dropped points unexpectedly.
KAA Gent experienced relief as they secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Standard Liège, proving pivotal after their earlier loss to Northern Irish side Larne. Franck Surdez netted the only goal of the match, capitalizing on Standard’s shaky performance. Gent, who fielded six new starters, including Doumbia, relied on solid defensive displays to maintain their lead after the goal. Standard struggled to capitalize on their possession and failed to find the net, leaving them searching for answers as Gent moves firmly within the top six.
OH Leuven faced late heartbreak as Cercle Brugge claimed all three points with a last-minute penalty. Leuven's Siebe Schrijvers lamented the cruel fate, stating, "I think it couldn't get any sourer than today. It was the only way they could score." Despite Leuven’s dominance and several missed opportunities, the irregular luck continues to plague their campaign. On the other hand, Cercle’s last-minute win shot them to closer contention with OHL.
Lastly, K. Beerschot V.A. garnered attention as player Colin Dagba received recognition from L'Equipe for his standout performance against KV Kortrijk, earning him a place on the French 'Team of the Week.' After assisting for Verlinden's goal, Dagba, once on the roster of PSG, demonstrated the calibre of play within the league. With the notable performances across matches, the Belgian Pro League continues to heat up, showcasing talent and competitive spirit.
