GAMES Anderlecht triumphed over Standard with a 1-0 victory in a tightly contested Clasico, characterized by intensity but few clear chances. The decisive moment came shortly after the second half began when substitute Cvetkovic capitalized on a rebound from Verschaeren's shot, finding the net to secure the win. Hazard had a golden opportunity to extend the lead to 2-0, but Standard's late surge put Anderlecht under pressure during the final quarter of the match. The first half saw both teams engage in a vigorous battle, yet scoring opportunities were scarce.
Anderlecht initially controlled the game, with Huerta missing a header that could have opened the scoring. Standard, however, nearly found the back of the net just before halftime, as Saïd's effort went just over the bar after a clever feint.
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Continue reading As the second half commenced, Anderlecht's coach Hasi made a tactical shift, introducing three substitutes, including Cvetkovic, who quickly made an impact. Just two minutes after the changes, he scored the crucial goal.
Despite this, Standard rallied, employing a power play strategy that kept Anderlecht on their toes. Hazard's near-miss in the 72nd minute could have doubled the lead, but his shot narrowly missed the target. The match intensified as Standard sought an equalizer, with Karamoko's goal being disallowed for a foul on goalkeeper Coosemans.
Tensions escalated further when Karamoko received a second yellow card for dissent, leaving Standard with ten men in the dying moments of the match.
Anderlecht's defense held firm, despite a late header from Kouavita that went wide, ensuring a hard-fought victory.
This win is significant for Anderlecht as they head into the international break, maintaining a positive momentum. The standout performance of young midfielder De Cat also deserves mention, contributing to the team's solid defensive display.