In a poor first half, Banzuzi created the first danger of the game after just under ten minutes with an attempt that went wide after a nice one-two with N’Dri. Cercle also put its nose into the window for the first time on the fifteen minute mark with a weak shot from Nunes. Hannes Van der Bruggen took his chance on a rejected free kick, but placed the ball a few centimeters wide of the Bruges goal. Just before half time, Leysen let Minda’s harmless shot slip out of his hands, but Nunes was unable to capitalize.
There was also little to do in the Jan Breydel Stadium in the second half. Mitrovic immediately took a cross from Gil, but the Serbian aimed over. The first big chance only came in minute 70. Ikwuemesi came face to face with Delanghe after a long ball, but the goalkeeper made the save. The Cercle goalie also stood firm on Mitrovic’s rebound. On the other side, Cercle claimed a penalty after a foul on Ravych in the box, but Van Driessche rightly did not respond due to prior offside.
The match seemed to be heading for a brilliant score, but in the closing seconds Cercle Brugge still came out on top. Olaigbe made an unexpected three-pointer from the spot after a mistake by Maziz in the box.
Cercle Brugge thus jumps from the penultimate place to 13th in the rankings.