STVV vs Cercle Brugge: Late Equalizer & Live Updates | Belgian Pro League
Sint-Truidense secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Cercle Brugge in a compelling Jupiler Pro League match played on . The win at Daio Wasabi Stayen Stadium strengthens STVV’s position in the league’s top three, while Cercle Brugge continues its battle to avoid the Relegation Play-offs.
The match began with a swift start for the home side, as Arbnor Muja found the back of the net in the 24th minute, giving Sint-Truidense an early lead. The goal ignited the atmosphere at Stayen, and STVV looked to build on their advantage. Although, Cercle Brugge responded with determination, and Edan Diop leveled the score in the 57th minute, silencing the home crowd and injecting renewed hope into the visitors’ campaign.
The game remained tightly contested, with both teams pushing for a decisive goal. Cercle Brugge coach Cinel made tactical adjustments, bringing on fresh legs in an attempt to exploit any fatigue in the STVV defense. However, it was Sint-Truidense who ultimately found the breakthrough. In the 81st minute, Kaito Matsuzawa scored, restoring the lead for STVV and proving to be the winning goal.
The victory is a significant boost for Sint-Truidense, who are enjoying a remarkable season, currently holding third place with three matchdays remaining. They were coming off a narrow defeat to Antwerp last week and were eager to return to winning ways in front of their home supporters. Coach Wouter Vrancken will be pleased with his team’s resilience and ability to secure three crucial points.
For Cercle Brugge, the defeat is a setback in their efforts to climb out of the relegation zone. Currently positioned 14th in the league, they are fighting to avoid the Relegation Play-offs. The team showed fighting spirit, particularly with Diop’s equalizer, but ultimately fell short against a determined STVV side. Cinel threw on another attacker in the 78th minute, recognizing the need to identify a late equalizer, but STVV held firm.
The match saw several substitutions as both managers looked to influence the outcome. STVV replaced Lawrence Agyekum with Krys Kouassi in the 77th minute, while Cercle Brugge brought on Ryan Merlen for Ilias Sebaoui and Kaito Matsuzawa for Rihito Yamamoto in the 74th minute. Earlier, Dante Vanzeir was substituted for Oumar Diakité in the 65th minute for Cercle Brugge.
Matsuzawa’s winning goal came after a determined run, showcasing his eagerness to make an impact after being introduced as a substitute. The forward embarked on a 30-meter rush, though the final pass wasn’t secure, the effort ultimately led to the decisive goal.
Sint-Truidense’s dominance in possession (61.3% to Cercle Brugge’s 38.7%) reflected their control over large portions of the game. They also edged Cercle Brugge in shot attempts, 14 to 19, and shots on goal, 6 to 7. STVV goalkeeper made 7 saves, while Cercle Brugge’s keeper made 4.
The result extends STVV’s recent strong form, and they will look to continue their momentum in the remaining games of the regular season. Cercle Brugge, meanwhile, face a challenging run-in as they strive to secure their place in the league for next season. The team will need to rediscover their winning touch and capitalize on their remaining opportunities to climb out of the relegation battle.
The game was officiated by Bert Verbeke.