Anderlecht lets victory slip away in the final minutes
FRIDAY, 24 JULY 2026, 14:24 - D.A.B.
GAMES Anderlecht drew 1-1 away at Hammarby. It looked to be heading for a 0-1 win, but after Saliba was shown a second yellow card in the 77th minute, the purple-and-white side were forced back and the Swedes were able to equalise in the closing stages. It is a dangerous result ahead of the return leg, although this ‘experimental' Anderlecht side, with three 17-year-olds given a chance, still appears to have a real shot at eliminating the Swedes. After Kana immediately lost possession in the opening phase and Pétrot had to intervene, Anderlecht recovered very quickly.
Llansana thundered one against the post from distance, and the next chance produced the opening goal. In the 6th minute, Sikan brilliantly lashed a direct free kick into the net. That one will surely already be among the contenders for goal of the season.
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Continue reading Hammarby responded and enjoyed their best 15-minute spell of the first half, which yielded two good chances. Coosemans produced a superb save to turn a header away from goal, and he was also equal to a shot from an unmarked Swede. Anderlecht came back into the game around the half-hour mark. Onia Seke forced Hahn, who had briefly been an Anderlecht player, into a save. In the 34th minute, Maamar had the chance to make it 0-2 after Kana set him up superbly, but the Moroccan fired against Hahn's head.
Ten minutes after the break, the home side started to press again for the first time after Anderlecht failed to clear the ball at the back. Around the hour mark, Hahn was called into action again, this time on another effort from Onia Seke. In the 72nd minute, Abraham got away from the defence too quickly, but Coosemans saved with his legs. Hammarby struggled to find fluency, and Anderlecht then helped the Swedes along. Saliba was shown a second yellow card, although he did not actually touch the player, and suddenly the Mauves were down to 10 men. The Canadian will therefore also miss next week's match.
Anderlecht dropped back and initially held firm, until substitute Adjei was given too much space on a rebound in the 88th minute. This time, he gave Coosemans no chance. A dangerous result for the return leg, in which everything is still possible.
