Croky Cup – matchday 1 – 15/01/26 – 20:35
| time | icon | player | homeTime | homeIcon | homePlayer | score | awayPlayer | awayIcon | awayTime |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| penalty door Thorgan Hazard na 28′, 1 – 0 |
Anderlecht has qualified as the last for the semi-finals of the Croky Cup. A penalty goal by Thorgan Hazard made the difference against KAA Gent, although the visitors will regret two decisions by the refs: Marco Kana did not receive a red card, the equalizer deep in extra time was disallowed due to handball.
What was that all about?
The match between Anderlecht and KAA Gent was put forward in advance as the top bill of the quarter-finals of the Croky Cup – and that was by no means an exaggeration: intense, animated and with some strong pivotal moments.
Anderlecht started the match well and came close to the opening goal twice with Bertaccini, but the Purple & White could never maintain the feeling of control. On the contrary.
Under Rik De Mil, Ghent wanted the ball, and they succeeded. With a numerical majority in midfield, De Cat and Saliba were increasingly defected, forcing Anderlecht to relinquish the initiative. The Buffaloes played more smoothly, although the danger was limited to long shots and stationary phases.
And it was just at that stage that Anderlecht received a gift. Araujo unnecessarily kicked Degreef in the box and Laforge rightly pointed to the spot. Hazard remained cool and gave the Purple & White the lead against the flow of the game.
Questionable phases
After the break, Ghent took the initiative again. Skoras soon hit the post and moments later Saliba also hit the target wood on the other side. Characteristic of the match, with chances on both sides, but without real control for anyone.
The key moment seemed to follow after an hour. Kana messed up in the build-up. The defender pulled the emergency brake, but Laforge stuck with the yellow card. At Ghent they couldn’t believe it — and that was understandable.
In the last half hour, the Purple & White had to survive above all. Ghent pushed, Anderlecht defended with all their might. Coosemans kept his nets clean, substitutions slowed the pace of the match and the visitors did not have any real opportunities.
Until that very last minute, when the ball did not get away after a pinball moment in the large rectangle. Lopes Da Silva took advantage and Ghent thought for a moment that it had forced extra time.
But VAR still took the equalizer off the board. Max Dean had committed hands in the all-decisive phase. The right decision this time. No 1-1, no extra time – but a semi-final for Anderlecht.
With trembling knees, but on. Ghent is left with frustration and the feeling that an equalizer would not have been theft. They will meet again in the competition on Sunday. After an evening like that, it feels like more than just another appointment.
Related:
END: 1-0!
What was that all about? After a crazy final phase, Anderlecht was still able to take the victory. The Purple & White will remain difficult to beat at home in 2026. Ghent goes home empty-handed after a creditable, but above all frustrating evening.
What a bizarre ending, isn’t it? Angulo arrived too late at Skoras in the 102nd minute and received his second yellow card: red. At Anderlecht they go crazy: why doesn’t the referee blow the whistle?
No equalizer!
Laforge has to go to the screen and judges: no goal. Max Dean would have made hands in the all-decisive phase. It seems like the right decision, although it is tough for Ghent. This would not have been an undeserved equalizer.
Meanwhile, a Ghent staff member also receives a red card. What a mess at the end of the match.
Ai, is the Ghent party short-lived? We see Dean reach for the ball with his hand and Skoras is potentially offside.
Anderlecht – Ghent: 1-1?
What a moment! In the very last minute there is another pinball moment in the large rectangle. Anderlecht cannot get the ball away and Lopes Da Silva is able to take advantage: 1-1. Will we get extensions?
The fourth ref shows the sign: we get five extra minutes.
The game is now more at a standstill than the ball is rolling. Angulo goes down and remains down after light contact, meanwhile De Mil puts all his attacking assets on the table. Will we get another final offensive?
This remains fascinating to watch. Everyone now has to work at Anderlecht, Ghent continues the search.
Peter Vandenbempt on Radio 1
Time is now ticking away mercilessly for Ghent. In this way, the cup exit beckons after a creditable evening.
