2025 Belgian Cup final

2025 Belgian Cup final
Event2024–25 Belgian Cup
Date4 May 2025
VenueKing Baudouin Stadium, Brussels
RefereeJasper Vergoote
Attendance40,861
WeatherSunny

The 2025 Belgian Cup final, named Croky Cup after the sponsor, was the 70th Belgian Cup final. It was played on 4 May 2025 between rivals Club Brugge and Anderlecht.

Route to the final

Club Brugge Anderlecht
Opponent Result Scorers Round Opponent Result Scorers
Belisia Bilzen (III) 6–1 (H) Jutglà (2), Romero, Nilsson, Meijer, Skóraś Seventh round Tubize-Braine (III) 4–0 (A) Dreyer (pen.), Dolberg (3)
Patro Eisden Maasmechelen (II) 3–1 (A) Nielsen, Vanaken, Jashari Eighth round Westerlo (I) 4–1 (H) Jørgensen, Dolberg (2), N'Diaye
OH Leuven (I) 3–0 (H) Tzolis (2), Skóraś (pen.) Quarter-finals Beerschot (I) 1–0 (A) Simić
Genk (I) 2–1 (H), 1–1 (A) (3–2 agg.) Ordóñez, Tzolis (pen.); Ordóñez Semi-finals Antwerp (I) 1–0 (H); 2–2 (A) (3–2 agg.) Degreef; Verschaeren, Dendoncker

Pre-match

Going into the match, both clubs were looking to finally win the cup again after many years of struggling, Anderlecht winning last in 2008, Club Brugge in 2015, with that last final against Anderlecht ending dramatically with two goals at the very end.

Contary to their shared drought in a cup, Club Brugge had been winning titles recently and had won 4 out of the last 5 league seasons, while Anderlecht had been without any trophy since 2017, putting more pressure on the Brussels' based club. On the otherhand, Club Brugge was in a fierce battle for the title, with Union SG one point ahead with just three games to go, while Anderlecht was certain they would most likely finish fourth which would still grant them European football irrespective of the result of the cup final, and could focus nearly fully on the cup.

The winner of the match qualified for the 2025–26 UEFA Europa League play-off round, but due to the league stadings going into the match this was of lesser importance: with Club Brugge certain of finishing top three (and most likely top two) they were looking to qualify for (the qualifying rounds of) the 2025–26 UEFA Champions League, which would mean the ticket for the UEFA Europa League play-off round would be passed along to the third-placed team in the league. With Anderlecht in fourth, eight points ahead of fifth place Antwerp with three league matches to go, this meant that most likely Anderlecht would either qualify for the play-off round (as winners) or second qualifying round (if loses).

Match

Summary

In the first minute Ferran Jutglà missed a huge chance for Club Brugge after which the match dulled down: Anderlecht was waiting for Club Brugge to slip up and counter, but the latter also didn't show much, with both teams not fielding key players as Jan Vertonghen (Anderlecht) and Simon Mignolet (Club Brugge) were both on the bench not being 100% recovered after recent injuries to start the match. With thirty minutes played Thorgan Hazard showed eagerness but without concrete chances coming from it. Just before halftime, Hugo Siquet (who started the match only because Kyriani Sabbe got injured during the warming-up) was given too much space to deliver a perfect assist for Romeo Vermant at the far post as he tapped in the opening goal.

Five minutes into the second half, the ball hit Hans Vanaken's arm in the penalty area, but both referee Jasper Vergoote as well as the VAR did not deem it worth of a penalty kick. On the hour mark Club Brugge doubled their lead with their first chance of the second half, again Vermant scoring, now acting quicker than his opponent and on assist of Christos Tzolis. Anderlecht subbed in Vertonghen, had a chance to score the 2–1 but Hans Vanaken cleared off the line and ultimately did score the 2–1 only in minute 91 through Luis Vázquez after Samuel Edozie dribbled past three Club Brugge players in the penalty box. A second penalty appeal after that was also denied, keeping the score at 2–1, allowing Club Brugge to win its 12th Belgian Cup.

Details

Club Brugge2–1Anderlecht
Vermant 40', 61' Report Vázquez 90+1'
Attendance: 40,861
Referee: Jasper Vergoote
Club Brugge
Anderlecht
GK 29 Nordin Jackers
RB 41 Hugo Siquet  80'
CB 4 Joel Ordóñez
CB 44 Brandon Mechele
LB 55 Maxim De Cuyper
CM 15 Raphael Onyedika  22'  74'
CM 30 Ardon Jashari
RW 8 Christos Tzolis
AM 20 Hans Vanaken (c)  74'
LW 9 Ferran Jutglà  82'  86'
CF 17 Romeo Vermant  67'  74'
Substitutes:
GK 22 Simon Mignolet
GK 71 Axl De Corte
DF 2 Zaid Romero
DF 14 Bjorn Meijer  80'
DF 58 Jorne Spileers
MF 10 Hugo Vetlesen  74'
MF 27 Casper Nielsen  86'
MF 62 Lynnt Audoor
FW 19 Gustaf Nilsson  74'
FW 21 Michał Skóraś
FW 68 Chemsdine Talbi  74'
Manager:
Nicky Hayen
GK 26 Colin Coosemans (c)
CB 79 Ali Maamar  68'
CB 3 Lucas Hey
CB 4 Jan-Carlo Simić
RWB 21 César Huerta  67'
LWB 5 Moussa N'Diaye  67'
RM 11 Thorgan Hazard
CM 32 Leander Dendoncker
CM 10 Yari Verschaeren  83'
LM 27 Samuel Edozie
CF 12 Kasper Dolberg
Substitutes:
GK 16 Mads Kikkenborg
DF 6 Ludwig Augustinsson
DF 14 Jan Vertonghen  67'
DF 34 Adryelson
MF 17 Théo Leoni
MF 18 Majeed Ashimeru
MF 23 Mats Rits
MF 29 Mario Stroeykens  68'
MF 74 Nathan De Cat
FW 19 Nilson Angulo  67'
FW 20 Luis Vázquez  83'
FW 42 Keisuke Gotō
Manager:
Besnik Hasi

Match rules

  • 90 minutes.
  • 30 minutes of extra time if necessary.
  • Penalty shoot-out if scores still level.
  • Twelve named substitutes.
  • Maximum of five substitutions.

See also

References