Standard Liège stunned Club Brugge on February 23, 2025, with a remarkable 2-1 victory at the Jan Breydel Stadium, immediately turning the tables on the home side after they seemed set to secure the win.
Initially, it appeared all was going well for Club Brugge, who took the lead just after halftime through Ferran Jutglà. He scored with a deft header from a De Cuyper cross, sending the home crowd, full of hope, erupting with joy. The moment seemed to confirm Club's dominance, as they aggressively pushed for additional goals throughout the first half, including Nielsen's explosive shot hitting the crossbar.
But the game shifted dramatically following the dismissal of Tzolis, who received his second yellow card for a foul on Fossey. The first yellow had come earlier for what the referee deemed a simulation. This decision sparked outrage among Brugge's fans and players alike.
Standard capitalized on the sudden shift, gaining momentum and control over the match. Shortly after Tzolis was sent off, the visitors were awarded a penalty when Ordonez was penalized for handball after VAR intervention. Andi Zeqiri nervelessly stepped up to convert the penalty, leveling the score and completely changing the dynamics of the match.
Standard pushed forward, sensing vulnerability from the ten-man Brugge side. Their persistence paid off five minutes before time when Dennis Eckert Ayensa scored the winning goal, sending the Standard fans—famed for their passionate support—into raptures. He arrived at the near post to volley home from another Fossey assist, catching the Brugge defense off guard.
Despite late attempts to salvage the match with near chances from Jutglà and others, who hit remarkable shots on goal, it was not enough. Standard’s goalkeeper, Bazunu, stood resolute, making phenomenal saves to deny Club Brugge the chance to equalize.
This defeat marked the seventh time this season Club Brugge has dropped points after impressive performances in European competitions, raising concerns about the physical toll on players following their Champions League endeavors. Meanwhile, Standard's victory provided them with valuable points, inching them closer to contention for the top six places.
Overall, the match highlighted the importance of discipline on the pitch; Club Brugge's frustrations were palpable as calls went against them, including disputes over referee Visser's decisions which many felt heavily influenced the game's outcome. Brugge must now regroup and learn from this latest disappointment as they continue to navigate the challenges of both domestic and European competitions.