GAMES Not even a third time (or fourth time if you look further back in time) proved to be the charm. In the Belgian Cup final, Union were too strong, winning 3-1. After Anderlecht fell behind midway through the second half, hope rose with a goal from Cvetkovic, but in extra time Union struck twice in quick succession to clinch the victory.
The game began clearly in Union's favour. David Hubert's side moved the ball well, found space and repeatedly tested Coosemans, who stood strong in goal. After about twenty minutes he did have to yield when Burgess headed in a Schoofs free kick — only for the strike to be ruled out after a VAR review of more than five minutes. Mac Allister had been marginally offside and impeded Cvetkovic just enough; debatable, but not incorrect according to the letter of the law.
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Continue reading After the disallowed goal Anderlecht gained a foothold. They spent more time on Union's half and, after a fine run from Saliba, Hazard shot over — a chance wasted. It got feistier just before the break and De Cat went into the interval on a yellow card.
Shortly after the restart the match was briefly halted because of plumes of smoke. The pattern returned afterwards: Union probing for a 1-0 while Anderlecht tried to spring something on the counter. Big chances were scarce; only just before the hour did Camara produce a shot on target, more a warm-up for Scherpen than a real test.
Then, in the 73rd minute, Union struck. They picked up a cleared corner quickly; via Khalaili the ball found Mac Allister, who gave Coosemans no chance — 1-0. Union's lead did not last long. From a free kick Hey headed the ball centrally into play and Cvetkovic also connected with his head; it bounced in off the post to make it 1-1. The remainder of normal time was combative, with Anderlecht collecting a few avoidable yellow cards, and the tie went to extra time.
Early in extra time Diarra gave the ball away in a dangerous area. It eventually fell to Fuseini, who restored Union's lead. Not long after it was 3-1: on a counter-attack Anderlecht were left with hardly any defenders and Union finished it off calmly, Rodriguez tapping in the third. A potential fourth for Union struck the post later in the second period of extra time, but it mattered little — Union were deserved winners.
