Anderlecht’s pursuit of the 2026 Croky Cup ended in disappointment today with a 1-0 defeat to Antwerp, a match marred by a series of red cards that left the Brussels club playing with only nine men.
The loss at the Bosuil Stadion significantly damages Anderlecht’s chances of reaching the final, which would have been hosted at the Heysel Stadium in their home city.
Despite a spirited effort,Coach Still’s squad was unable to overcome the disadvantage,and the match saw notable struggles from several key players as detailed in the report below.
Anderlecht’s Croky Cup ambitions suffered a blow on February 5th, as they fell 1-0 to Antwerp despite a spirited effort, ultimately undone by a series of setbacks including multiple red cards. The defeat significantly complicates their path to a final at the Heysel Stadium.
Left-back Maamar struggled throughout the match, starting on his weaker foot and contributing to a near-miss goal with a poor back pass. He repeatedly lost possession, finding himself consistently under pressure.
Defender Saliba had a difficult outing, particularly on the play leading to Antwerp’s opening goal from a corner kick. His distribution was also inaccurate, frustrating his teammates.
De Cat provided a much-needed presence in midfield, despite appearing fatigued at times. He showcased flashes of brilliance in beating opponents, though his long passes and through balls were less frequent than usual.
Degreef was one of Anderlecht’s standout performers in the first half, driving the attack and initiating positive movements before being substituted.
Hazard leveraged his experience to find promising positions, but his final pass consistently failed to connect with a teammate. He faded from the game after halftime.
Kanaté’s performance was characterized by inconsistency, alternating between impressive dribbling runs and simple errors like misplaced controls. His unpredictable play didn’t yield the desired results.
Bertaccini struggled to impact the game offensively, often dropping deep and rarely threatening the opposition goal. He appeared desperate for a goal to boost his confidence.
Verschaeren made an immediate impact after entering the game, testing the Antwerp goalkeeper Nozawa twice from the left wing. He came close to leveling the score while Anderlecht played with only nine men.
Coba da Costa’s appearance was brief, as he was substituted almost immediately after coming on due to the team’s mounting red card total.
Coach Still faced a challenging situation with injuries, poor form, and ultimately, multiple dismissals. He was forced to prioritize damage control over implementing his tactical vision.
