GAMES Anderlecht have reached the Belgian Cup final. And what a way to do it! They thrashed Antwerp 4-0, and the score could easily have been even higher. Jérémy Taravel breathed new life into Anderlecht on the pitch and, when the final whistle blew, was swept up by his celebrating players and coaching staff.
Anderlecht enjoyed a dream start at the Bosuil. Not even a minute had passed when De Cat, coming in from the left, delivered a perfect header to the onrushing Saliba. The Canadian nodded the ball textbook-style into the far corner: 1-0, and the deficit from the first leg was already erased.
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Continue reading Interim coach Taravel has clearly found the right formula in recent days. Anderlecht not only looked sharp, there was finally quality in their play again. Their attacks were incisive and they created clear chances. Praet could count himself lucky the VAR did not show him a red card. Right before half-time Anderlecht fashioned three superb opportunities in as many minutes. On the next one Degreef broke clear on Nozawa, rounded the keeper and composedly slotted home: 2-0.
There was nothing but praise for Anderlecht at the break, and after the restart the visitors kept up the momentum. Hazard put in solid pressing and recovered the ball repeatedly. When Degreef's shot was blocked, the rebound fell to De Cat, who calmly drilled it in to make it 3-0.
Shortly after the hour there was a moment of chaos when Saliba, being treated for an injury, was pelted with beer cups and other debris; an Anderlecht physiotherapist was struck on the head. In the final half hour Anderlecht allowed the hosts a bit more of the ball, which produced a shot from Valencia that Coosemans dealt with well. About fifteen minutes from time Bertaccini had an opportunity to make it 4-0, but his lay-off to Cvetkovic was lacking in precision. Even after that, a determined Anderlecht created further chances on the counter, and with five minutes left any remaining doubt was gone. Augustinsson's delivery from a Hazard corner forced Scott into an own goal. Antwerp finished the match with ten men after Tsunashima was sent off for bringing down the through-running Kanate.
Final score: Anderlecht 4, Antwerp 0. Goals by Saliba, Degreef, De Cat and an own goal by Scott.
