Jupiler Pro League – matchday 22 – 25/01/26 – 13:31
| time | icon | player | homeTime | homeIcon | homePlayer | score | awayPlayer | awayIcon | awayTime |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| goal by Aurélien Scheidler after 9′, 0 – 1 | |||||||||
| penalty door Parfait Guiagon na 57′, 0 – 2 |
After points sharing against Union and Racing Genk and victories against Anderlecht, Club Brugge (cup) and Standard, Charleroi has now also taken the scalp of Antwerp. Charleroi deservedly won 0-2 at The Great Old. The in-form team is now flirting even more with the top 6, Antwerp continues to struggle after a second defeat in as many matchdays.
Antwerp – Charleroi in a nutshell
- Man of the match
Patrick Pflücke is not on the scoreboard today, but his presence was often crucial to get the Carolos’ actions going. Always present where it burns and with subtle ball keys, a real conductor.
- Key moment
Just like in the first half, Antwerp suffered a blow after ten minutes of play in the second half, while the game was perhaps starting to get a little better. Dierckx kicked Bernier into the box, Guiagon converted the penalty.
- Debut in minor key
What was supposed to be a new beginning for Van Helden quickly turned into a painful end. While he was making a strong debut, he was struck with an injury (hamstring?) after half an hour. Even without contact with an opponent, let’s hope that things don’t turn out too bad for him.
Both Antwerp and Charleroi had left the depths of the competition behind them thanks to great series and, with a new coach in the dugout, could look up again with the hope of a top 6 spot.
In Antwerp, that hope was dealt a blow with the 1-0 loss to Dender. Oosting labeled it “off-day”, but after nine minutes that term was allowed to disappear from under the thinnest layer of dust. With the first real chance, Van Den Kerkhof found the head of neighbor Nzita, who with a headed back ball offered Scheidler the 0-1.
It was the last chance of the first half, which we found difficult to convert. There was still a sad ‘high point’ – low point is better – for Van Helden. The former STVV player was allowed to start immediately in his first match in Deurne-Noord, but after half an hour he felt his hamstring.
The home supporters, who already announced in advance that they were angry with ‘Popol’ Gheysens, expressed this once again with banners. In this case they were right: Antwerp could barely achieve anything.
Delavallée provides clean sheets
That was the case before halftime and that was the case afterward. The Great Old started with more enthusiasm, but there were no real big chances or fluent play. Then Charleroi did better, although it was thanks to an oversight by 16-year-old Xander Dierckx. He did not see that Bernier was putting pressure in the box and thus offered a penalty to Parfait Guiagon.
0-2 and then the home team really had to come, but it only took until the final quarter before real opportunities arose. With more risks on the ball, Janssen came several times for Delavallée, who had to show what kind of goalkeeper he is made of, especially on a deflected shot.
Charleroi forgot to capitalize on its own chances on the counter, meaning the match was never fully played. Antwerp will have to get back to what it did well before the winter break, goals are difficult.
After the flute concert by the home fans, a dance followed at the away section. Charleroi is in good form.
- Hans Cornelis (Charleroi): “I don’t know where we will end up, but this is indeed a nice victory. We have to remain calm, our first goal is to play play-off 2, even though we are now one point out of the top six. It was not our best game, but coming to play here is difficult. You have seen our team as we are now: with a lot of confidence, a lot of fighting spirit. Perhaps it is still a bit frustrating that we do not make the 0-3, you never know with 0-2, but I am satisfied.”
- Delavallée Martin (Charleroi): “I have no idea how I grabbed that deflected ball from Janssen. It was a reflex, but I did have it. I had barely hit a ball for 75 minutes, but that is the life of a goalkeeper: being there when necessary.”
Related:
End
Antwerp has bled dry and is now also receiving a flute concert after a second off-day in a row. Charleroi was the better team at Den Bosuil, and took the deserved victory with a goal before and one after the break. The home team could only be real in the final and then met Delavallée a few times. After the undefeated series, now two losses in a row without scoring.
Another sharp counter from Charleroi ends in the gloves of Nozawa. Blum starts the action with a sprint and ends after a one-two with Colassin in front of Nozawa. His shot is too central, not 0-3.
An extra 4 minutes will be added.
Antwerp is allowed to take a free kick, but does not drop the ball in the box. Valencia plays to Scott on the edge of the box, who finds no better option than a mediocre shot that goes over.
Antwerp’s attacking drive has cooled down, thanks to key player Delavallée. Things are really starting to get tough now, Charleroi is holding its own again.
Delavallée keeps nets clean
Hello, what a rescue from Martin Delavallée! Valencia kicks towards the far post, but hits his captain’s leg on the way. Janssen thus deviates against Delavallée, who can still cancel his movement and keep the ball out of his goal area. Important rescue.
On the edge of the box, Nzita makes a clear mistake, although he doesn’t understand it. Janssen gets behind the ball but doesn’t get enough poison in his shot to really threaten Delavallée.
The match has (finally) started in the final. Charleroi crosses again, Pflücke kicks wide.
Delavallée stops Janssen!
Substitute Valencia brings the acceleration that Antwerp needs. He rushes into the box, goes past two opponents and then delivers the ball to captain Janssen with a long touch. He takes over without thinking, from close range, but cannot get the ball past the grabbing hands of Delavallée. Here Antwerp had its chance to do something this match.
Antwerp is taking more and more risks and is therefore in danger at the back. Bernier passes to Guiagon, but he again misses the ball.
Boterberg sees a mistake by Vincent Janssen, who seemed to run into Keita (although the defender easily went to the ground). The Dutchman can’t laugh about it and furiously throws the ball away. You can already guess the result: yellow for the striker.
At Antwerp the game is always forced, creating chances is a job. Nothing like that on the other side, with the ever-present Pflücke always where it burns. He finds plenty of space on the right to break out and find Guiagon in the half-moon with a precise ball. The Ivorian’s shot is cracked and goes wide.
