Antwerp scores equalizer in 89th minute

GAMES Anderlecht drew 1-1 at Antwerp. In an exciting match, where the game went up and down quickly, Purple-White took an early lead through Leoni through a flutter by Butez. Before halftime, both teams had good chances, but Schmeichel was attentive. After halftime, Antwerp increased the pressure and Anderlecht found it increasingly difficult to get out of the game. In the closing stages, a ball ended up with Ilenikhena, who scored the equalizer from close range. A draw at Antwerp is not bad in itself, but just like in Genk, this late equalizer left a sour aftertaste. Even though it was not entirely undeserved.


In the last instance an ill Delaney was replaced by Stroeykens.

The first chance fell after just over a minute. Kerk took advantage of a bad pass from Leoni, but placed the ball just wide. Anderlecht responded quickly through Dolberg, although the Dane would have been better off playing Stroeykens. After eight minutes, Purple-White climbed into the lead. Butez let a simple cross from Sardella slip out of his hands and Leoni was in the right place to head in goal. A serious gaffe by the French goalkeeper. Anderlecht tanked confidence with the lead. Dreyer got diagonally in front of goal after a quarter of an hour, but crossed where Alderweireld deflected. With his form, the Dane should have been allowed to try himself.

After 20 minutes, Antwerp got into the game better. Janssen cleverly launched Kerk towards goal but a glacially calm Schmeichel saved the attempt with his leg. Five minutes later, Schmeichel was again ready to take a shot from Ekkelenkamp. Anderlecht also had a huge chance before halftime. In minute 38, Dreyer was given a boulevard of space, but the Dane tried from far away while he had time and space to try from closer range. Butez came out well and stopped the place ball.

After a balanced first half, Antwerp pressed on. On the opposite side, Dreyer hit the outside of the post with a place ball. The game quickly went back and forth. Sardella was able to stop Bataille just in time. For Anderlecht, Dolberg tried to floor Butez counter-footed, but his attempt landed on the wrong side of the post. Anderlecht was increasingly pressed backwards, but it was also regularly dangerous when it was able to get out from under the pressure. For example, Alderweireld stopped another attempt by Dreyer. Unnecessary grumbling in a somewhat messy phase of the match resulted in two yellow cards for each team.

Antwerp continued to press and Purple and White hardly created any more danger. Schmeichel put his hand out well when Balikwisha made it to the back line. Ilenikhena got a lot of space after Anderlecht was pulled forward anyway, but Sardella blocked his shot just in time. In minute 84', Vazquez and Diawara were allowed to come on to replace Dolberg and Stroeykens.

In minute 88' Antwerp did equalize. Alderweireld was on the attack and his unsuccessful attempt ended up with Ilenikhena, who headed low into goal. Not much later, Antwerp had a bit of luck when a return ball swirled just wide of Butez' goal. But Anderlecht was also lucky. Keita kicked against the post from distance in added time. In the very last minute, Ilenikhena came a foot short of deciding on goal. Lambrechts allowed the game to continue and Schmeichel had to intervene on Janssen's shot.

Thus, Anderlecht must once again settle for a draw in a top match. Despite the draw, they are one point ahead of Ghent, but Union is getting further away. Debast received his fifth yellow card of the season in the final and is suspended against Genk. Presumably, Sardella will come in at center back alongside Vertonghen.

Score: 1-1
Goal(s):0-1 Leoni 8', 1-1 Ilenikhena 88'

Antwerp:Butez, De Laet (Balikwisha 59'), Coulibaly, Alderweireld, Wijndal (Bataille 40'), Keita, Ekkelenkamp (Van Den Bosch 86'), Vermeeren, Ejuke, Kerk (Elenikhena 59'), Janssen
Anderlecht:Schmeichel, Sardella, Debast, Vertonghen, Augustinsson, Rits, Stroeykens Diawara 84'), Leoni (Flips 90'+3), Verschaeren (Raman 75'), Dreyer, Dolberg (Vazquez 84')

Yellow: Augustinsson 17', Van Bommel 35', Elenikhena 66', Vertonghen 66', Ellenkamp 70', Dreyer 70', Debast 90'+2, Riemer 90'+6
Red:

Referee: Erik Lambrechts
Stadium: Bosuil stadium

Source: © Internal source