Anderlecht takes third place and Champions' Play-offs

GAMES Anderlecht won with 2-3 in Kortrijk and because of that, they assured themselves of a place in the Champions' Play-offs. It even jumps over Antwerp to place three in the final ranking of the regular league. Thanks to a strong period after half-time, the purple and white team was able to grab the victory. A European ticket has not yet been won, however. Next Monday, the shortest road to Europe awaits with the final of the cup.


Anderlecht entered the field shivering as if it had to play against Bayern Munich. Instead of taking control of the match, it was a Kortrijk that went on the attack from the start. In the first ten minutes, the home team was allowed to try four times, while Anderlecht was sloppy and couldn't keep the ball in the team. Just after the quarter hour mark, Messaoudi got stuck and tripped over Hoedt's leg. Boterberg was informed by VAR to look at the images and pointed to the spot. Sainsburg put van Crombrugge on the wrong leg.

Anderlecht had to react, but Magallan's header was too weak. The second time, the ball did hit the target. The ball was intercepted by Purple and White high up the pitch and Zirkzee did not hesitate to slide the equaliser in. But Anderlecht couldn't continue the lead. On the half hour Messaoudi headed for goal, but his finish was too weak. That was also the case when Ait El Hadj tried his luck. With the news that Gent had opened the score against OHL, Anderlecht knew they didn't need to raise their game, but a whole lot more after half-time.

After Gent scored a second time shortly after the break, the path was clear for Anderlecht. There didn't seem to be much improvement until Refaelov sent Kouamé deep. The Ivorian strangely enough laid back to Ait El Hadj, who was allowed to try twice and give Paars-wit the lead. Moments later, Zirkzee was able to reach Kouamé with the tip of his shoe. The striker passed Deman and, from an angled position, swiftly kicked the 1-3 into goal. Just before the hour, Kouamé could have scored again with a flight shot, but Deman was alert.

Anderlecht however let Kortrijk get back in the game too easily. In minute 66, Reynolds suddenly got a boulevard of space. Murillo and Magallan stood around the American like two pillars of salt and Van Crombrugge couldn't stop the shot. With twenty minutes left on the clock Gomez was taken off with a knee injury (?). Mykhailichenko came on, as did Raman and Arnstad who replaced Zirkzee and Refaelov. Anderlecht had to keep full concentration, because Messaoudi was on the lookout for every counter. Raman and Amuzu shot at goal, but missed precision in their finishing. Anderlecht kept on shaking in the final stage of the match, as they only managed a corner from a counter. But Kortrijk couldn't create any danger anymore and Anderlecht won by 2-3.

A very nice birthday present for Kompany and apparently there was a lot of celebrating afterwards. Still, qualification for the Champions' Play-offs does not guarantee European football. Union is already playing Europe and the fourth in the Champions' Play-offs awaits - depending on the outcome of the cup final - a match against the winner of the Europe play-offs. If Purple and White win the cup next Monday, they are of course sure of European football and can start the Play-offs without any pressure. 

Score: 2-3
Goal(s): 1-0 Sainsbury 20' (pen), 1-1 Zirkzee 25', 1-2 Ait El Hadj 52', 1-3 Kouamé 56', 2-3 Reynolds 66'.

Kortrijk: Deman, Reynolds, Watanabe, Sainsbury, Messaoudi, Sissoko (Jonckheere 67'), Kadri, Badamosi (Herrmann 46'), Torp (Selemani 57'), Mehssatou (Henen 83'), Moreno (Mbayo 57')
Anderlecht: Van Crombrugge, Murillo, Magallan, Hoedt, Gomez (Mykhailichenko 72'), Cullen, Olsson, Refaelov (Arnstad 72'), Ait El Hadj (Amuzu 62'), Zirkzee (Raman 72'), Kouamé

Yellow: Hoedt 18', Jonckheere 81'
Red: /

Referee: Jan Boterberg
Stadium: Guldensporenstadion