Top-tier clubs in the Jupiler Pro League maintained a flawless record in the 1/16es de finale of the Croky Cup, as Club Brugge, KRC Genk, and Zulte Waregem secured victories to advance to the next round. After 11 matches, the Pro League formations boast a flawless record of 11 qualifications as the famous magic of the cup failed to operate in these 1/16es de finale, with the teams avoiding the trap of complacency against Challenger Pro League outfits without dominating the matches.
Club Brugge Overcomes Sporting Lokeren After Late First-Half Breakthrough
Ivan Leko kept Vanaken, Seys, Spileers, Potts and Virgili in his starting lineup following their win against Inter Milan. Playing at the Jan Breydel Stadion, the Blauw-Zwart rotated their squad against Challenger Pro League side Sporting Lokeren. Lokeren nearly capitalized early when Lee lost the ball inside the penalty area under pressure from Duku, but Mabanza failed to beat goalkeeper Argus Vanden Driessche, and Jorne Spileers subsequently cleared a shot off the goal line from Brrou.
Who's turning the best chances into goals? — 🇧🇪 Pro League · 26/27goals🔸 1. Samed Bazdar (Sint-Truiden) 4🔸 2. Dennis Eckert Ayensa (Standard Liège) 4🔸 3. Rafiu Durosinmi (Genk) 44. Michael Frey (Antwerp) 45. Anthony Valencia (Antwerp) 36. Zalán Átrok (Zulte-Waregem) 3… pic.twitter.com/tRYfCa1de5
Bruges eventually took control, recording 20 shots with 13 on target. The breakthrough arrived in stoppage time at the end of the first half when Felix Lemaréchal scored on a rebound after goalkeeper Vervacke blocked an initial effort. Despite dominating, the hosts failed to add to their lead after the break, sealing a victory to reach the round of 16 through an unlustrous win against a well-resisting Lokeren side.
Genk Controls Away Match Against Virton Before Halftime
KRC Genk traveled approximately 200 kilometers by coach to the Stade Yvan Georges and defeated Virton 2-0. Daan Heymans opened the scoring with a header from Joris Kayembe’s cross in the 17th minute. Rafiu Durosinmi doubled the lead in the 28th minute by beating goalkeeper Celestin De Schrevel. Genk nearly extended their advantage before halftime when Noah Adedeji-Sternberg struck a free-kick against the goalpost in the 40th minute. The victory followed a previous win against Virton on November 16, 2002, when the Racing won 3-1. In the second half, Genk managed their lead while Virton failed to convert their remaining chances, with the Gaumais ultimately eliminated after a performance where they did not disserve their efforts.
Zulte Waregem Defeats RFC Seraing at Stade Arc-en-Ciel
Zulte Waregem defeated RFC Seraing 3-0 at the Stade Arc-en-ciel. Marley Aké opened the scoring for Essevee in the 15th minute. Although Seraing pressed, they struggled to test goalkeeper Brent Gabriel. Youssoupha Mbodji missed an opportunity with an empty net before extinguishing the final hopes of Arnauld Mercier’s team by scoring the second goal in the 78th minute. Anosike Ementa secured the final score by converting a penalty kick.
RAAL La Louvière Dominates RFC Liège
RAAL La Louvière overcame their league struggles by defeating RFC Liège 4-0. Zsombor Gruber opened the scoring in the 32nd minute by beating goalkeeper Oregan Ravet. After halftime, Wagane Faye capitalized on a missed exit by Ravet to score the second goal in the 62nd minute. Leandro Rousseau added a third in the 73rd minute, and Elias Filet rounded out the scoring in the 83rd minute to confirm La Louvière’s progression to the eighth-finals.
Related reading
