Croky Cup – matchday 1 – 04/12/25 – 20:31
After Club Brugge and Union, Anderlecht has now also taken the scalp of Racing Genk. The Purple & White beat the Limburgers to the cup thanks to a late equalizer from Bertaccini and a penalty goal from Thorgan Hazard in extra time. Although Genk in particular will swear that it did not capitalize on its dominance sooner.
Goals:
- 24′ Karetsas: 1-0
- 82′ Bertaccini: 1-1
- 107′ Hazard: 1-2
- 126′ Kanate: 1-3
What was supposed to be confirmation of Genk’s growth became a new boost for Anderlecht.
In the initial phase, Thorsten Fink’s team immediately showed a surplus of intrinsic class against an invisible purple and white, which nevertheless also bore the title of team in form after 12 out of 12.
It is no longer a surprise, but Kos Karetsas in particular was the personification of that charming Genk. It swept across the field like a small tornado. As if his opponents were grasping for smoke with their bare hands, he proved unplayable at times.
Together with the constant dribbling threat of Adedeji-Sternberg, the motor of El Ouahdi and the smart connecting runs of Heymans, Genk completely crushed his opponent.
The dominance also became visible on the scoreboard after just under half an hour. After Angulo lost the ball, Karetsas himself set up the combination around the sixteen and he also finished his action coolly: via a slight deviation past Coosemans, 1-0. Overdeserved.
They also honestly admitted this at Anderlecht, because the Purple & White were almost non-existent in attacking terms before half-time. Only a gift from Van Crombrugge sent Hazard hitting the crossbar. For the rest, the visible frustrations of Bertaccini and Hazard, among others, were striking. What worked in previous weeks kept going wrong in Genk.
Merciless
After the break, another Anderlecht came out of the dressing room. Besnik Hasi had clearly woken up his team. The sudden and high pressure surprised Genk and gave the match a new rhythm.
But Genk cleverly transformed itself from a dominant block to a counter team. Every time Anderlecht pushed, Genk also pushed back. Heymans in particular had two good chances to finally put the match in perspective, and Karetsas also collided with Coosemans.
And those who don’t take their chances… Six minutes before the end, Genk paid the price. Van Crombrugge pushed a shot from Stroeykens straight into the feet of Bertaccini, who brought Anderlecht alongside out of nowhere: 1-1.
So extensions. And there the story finally turned.
It was a frustrating conclusion for Genk. It had been the better team for most of the match, but the candle was systematically extinguished in extra time. Anderlecht was then both mentally and physically fresher and would still complete the turnaround.
Barely a minute into the second extra period, El Ouahdi – even he – committed a penalty foul. Hazard took his responsibility and gave Anderlecht a new boost. Everyone at Purple & White flew together to party. At Genk they could hardly believe it in all their fatigue.
How cruel and beautiful football can be at the same time.
Related:
“We should not be ashamed of this achievement”
Thorsten Fink (Genk): “We were on the field with two good teams today. The match was decided on details. We did not score ourselves and in the end we lost because we made one more mistake than the opponent. Defensively we were good and we gave away few chances, and we also had a lot of ball possession. Of course we could have killed the match earlier, but that did not happen. It is a pity that we are out of the cup, but we are now focusing on our other objectives. We do not have to be ashamed of this performance against a strong opponent.”
Matte Smets (Genk): “We are playing a very good match, especially the second half. However, it is not good that we cannot make it 2-0. We deserved more and should not focus too much on the negative now. The next match is already coming. That Anderlecht was fresher at the end? We will have to see that on the images. We have of course had very busy weeks.”
Related:
END: 1-3
Let this match be played ten more times and the result will often be different. But the fact is that Anderlecht has given itself a new boost in the cup. And that is mainly due to his mental and physical surplus in the final. Genk has charmed for a long time, but is left empty-handed.
Genk – Anderlecht: 1-3
Anderlecht’s party is complete. After the free kick of the last chance, the ball quickly goes to the other side. There Kanaté can seal the stunt with a strong sprint: 1-3.
Sardella and Sadick briefly clash and the puppets start dancing collectively. The two gamekeepers both receive a yellow card, but above all: time is ticking away mercilessly.
Anderlecht are heading for victory here.
Stef Wijnants on Radio 1
It is a frustrating realization for Genk that they were the better team for most of the match. But now it looks a bit like Thorsten Fink’s men.
Genk – Anderlecht: 1-2
Up and about it. Hazard takes his responsibility and pushes Anderlecht into the lead against Genk for the first time. Can Purple and White pull this off the hook?
Penalty!
Ouch, this is painful for Genk. After barely a minute, Angulo slips between two opponents. El Ouahdi throws his hip in, but knocks his opponent onto the turf without touching the ball: a penalty.
End of first half of extra time: still 1-1.
Immediately the ball goes to the other side. Verschaeren is given plenty of time and space around the large rectangle and delivers a scorching blow. His shot to the far corner eventually exploded onto the crossbar. At Genk they collectively held their breath for a moment.
Counter-alarm
Every switch is dangerous at Genk, but just as often things go just wrong. Now Heymans sends Steuckers deep with a measured ball. He in turn spoons the leather to the second zone, where El Ouahdi can no longer push the ball towards goal with an acrobatic jump.
Anderlecht has to wait a little longer, Genk takes control of the game.
Stef Wijnants on Radio 1
Extra from El Ouahdi
If there is one player capable of delivering a surplus in extra time, it is the tireless El Ouahdi. So he also signs for the first chance. With a perfect hood he leaves his opponent in the dark for a while. He also kicks towards the goal, but sees Coosemans easily catch it.
It is not obvious to relaunch yourself as a player and team. We therefore do not immediately see a flashy start to the extensions. Genk does claim the ball, but it is mainly trying to keep the team in the team for the time being.
