Semi-finals thanks to Nmecha and Wellenreuther

GAMES Anderlecht have qualified for the semi-finals of the Belgian Cup. It defeated Cercle Brugge with 1-0 after an early goal from Nmecha. In the final phase it had to count on a strong goalkeeper Wellenreuther.


From the kick-off, Anderlecht showed its good intentions. It let the ball go around well and after barely two minutes it got its first good chance through Diaby. Just when he was about to kick, he slipped and the ball landed in the side net. Ten minutes later it was a goal. Sambi Lokonga was given all the space to kick a deep ball on Nmecha. He took the leather and tapped him against the ropes via Bruzzese: 1-0.

Anderlecht remained boss even after the goal. It played constantly on the half of Cercle, looking for scoring opportunities, but big ones did not come. On the other side Denkey was allowed to kick a little too easily, but it was not more than an easy ball for Wellenreuther. In the attack at Anderlecht, Nmecha tried to make a difference, but he had to endure a lot of kicks and pushes.

The first fifteen minutes after the break, Cercle was more assertive. Not only physically by committing one offense to another, but also in front of Wellenreuther's goal. First Denkey headed to the post after Murillo lost the ball after a clear foul. A little later, Wellenreuther had to save a shot from Musaba. Anderlecht reacted through a nice move by Murillo, but after Diaby missed, Nmecha's goal was rejected for offside

Just past the hour, Kompany threw Dauda and Bruun Larsen into the fight. The latter in particular was immediately noticed with some nice actions. The best, a great one-two with Dauda, ​​led to a good chance for Miazga, but Bruzzese tapped over. Afterwards the game went on. Ten minutes before the end, Wellenreuther had to keep Ugbo's 1-1 out of his goal with a fine reflex. It was the starting signal for a final offensive by Cercle. Fortunately for Anderlecht, Wellenreuther played a secure game.

Score: 1-0
Goal(s): 11 'Nmecha (1-0)

Anderlecht: Wellenreuther, Murillo, Miazga, Cobbaut, Mykhaylichenko, Amuzu, Cullen, Sambi Lokonga, Mukairu (62 'Bruun Larsen), Nmecha (73' Verschaeren), Diaby (62 'Dauda)

Cercle Bruges: Bruzzese, Bates, Taravel, Decostere, Marcelin, Corryn (63 'Biancone), Vanhoutte (63' Deman), Van der Bruggen, Kanouté (63 'Hotic), Musaba (78' Ugbo), Denkey

Yellow: 24 'Marcelin, 45 + 1' Corryn, 86 'Wellenreuther
Red: /

Referee: Van Driessche
Stadium: Lotto Park