Dramatic quarter cost Anderlecht direct qualification
FRIDAY, 31 JANUARY 2025, 11:16 - lajoya
GAMES No direct qualification for the eighth finals of the Europa League for Anderlecht. Against Hoffenheim, purple-white started well, but after the break the purple-white collapsed completely and cashed in three goals in 12 minutes. A strong final offensive still brought hope, but there was a goal too little.
Anderlecht started the game strongly. Vazquez popped a first attempt wide and actually purple and white should have been awarded a penalty kick after a hand play. A little past the quarter-hour mark, Vazquez thought his moment had come. The Argentine sprinted deep, cut back and curled the ball enigmatically into the left corner: 0-1.
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Continue reading Anderlecht seemed to have everything under control. Especially when Verschaeren kicked the ball delightfully against the post from 20 meters. Just before half-time, the equalizer fell from the sky. Hranac was allowed to head too freely after a corner kick and Sardella could not prevent the ball from crossing the goal line. Talk of a cold shower, but no man overboard yet. After 45 minutes, Anderlecht was still virtually in the top eight.
But it would not stay that way for long. The Germans, who had nothing left to win, came out of the locker room with fresh courage. Anderlecht collapsed like a pudding and in twelve minutes it went from 1-1 to 1-4. Hubert responded with a triple substitution, but Anderlecht was lucky that a fifth German goal was disallowed.
Just when everyone thought it was over, substitute Goto scored the 2-4 from nowhere. Lotto Park and Anderlecht regained hope. Purple and White pressed Hoffenheim against their own goal and through Augustinsson it even became 3-4. The seven minutes of extra time caused huge suspensions. Anderlecht did what it could, but the equalizer never came.
