The Jupiler Pro League second weekend opened with a dramatic fixture on Friday, August 14, 2026, as Cercle Bruges salvaged a 3-3 draw against Saint-Trond thanks to a stoppage-time equalizer.
A Lightning Start and Early Visitor Dominance
Saint-Trond wasted no time establishing control in the opening fixture of the second matchday. According to match reports, the visitors took the lead after just 46 seconds when Ryan Merlen finished off a precise cross from Ilias Sebaoui. Cercle Bruges manager Lars Friis opted to field the exact same starting eleven that faced Standard earlier in the season, while Saint-Trond counterpart Frédéric De Meyer similarly maintained his lineup from their previous fixture against Lommel.
Despite the early shock, a combative Cercle side worked their way back into the encounter. Makaya Diaby, Gary Magnée, Dante Vanzeir, and Viggo Martens all threatened before Steve Ngoura leveled the score at 1-1 in the 28th minute. Vanzeir nearly handed the hosts the lead moments later, but his effort struck the goalpost. It was Saint-Trond, however, that struck before halftime, as Merlen netted his second of the evening in the 37th minute to restore a 2-3 advantage for the visitors heading into the break.
Stretching the Lead and Late Resurgence
The second half mirrored the start of the first. Trudonnaires midfielder Nelson Ishiwatari capped off a swift attacking move orchestrated by Robert-Jan Vanwesemael and Sebaoui just two minutes after the restart, pushing Saint-Trond ahead 3-1. Cercle struggled defensively for much of the second period; goalkeeper Geoffrey Kondo was forced into a crucial goal-line clearance to deny Merlen a hat-trick in the 63rd minute, and Sebaoui missed an open opportunity shortly after.
Trailing by two goals deep into the second half, Cercle Bruges found renewed energy from their substitutes. Erick Nunes narrowed the deficit to 3-2 in the 82nd minute, setting up a frantic finish. In the third minute of stoppage time, Krys Kouassi capitalized on a blind cross that took a decisive deflection off Loïc Mbe Soh, beating the defense to snatch a 3-3 draw at the death.
Standings Implications and Next Steps
With the point secured on the buzzer, both Cercle Bruges and Saint-Trond moved to two points apiece in the Jupiler Pro League standings after two matches played. The dramatic finish mirrored Cercle’s resilience from their earlier outing at Sclessin. Both clubs will look to build on their attacking moments as the Belgian domestic campaign continues with upcoming third-round fixtures.
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