In a tense duel, marked by the expulsion of Boris Lambert, Eupen lost and returned to the Eastern Cantons with a ticket for the Challenger Pro League in his suitcases. For Kortrijk, the end of the season could still smile on him.
In a decisive Plays-down clash, Kortrijk welcomed Eupen to its stadium, with high stakes for both teams. If Kortrijk succeeds in winning, the club would place itself in front of the RWDM, thus positioning itself as a play-off against the winner of the duel between Lommel and Deinze. On the other hand, a defeat would place Eupen in the Challenger Pro League, but a victory would allow him to re-enter the race for the play-off place.
From the first minutes, it was obvious that the tension was palpable on the pitch. In the first minutes, despite the importance of the match, the spectacle was not yet on the agenda. Both teams looked for each other, but it was the visitors who appeared more threatening, with Charles-Cook twice trying his luck.
Kortrijk gradually progressed in the game, but struggled to find the final pass to really disturb Eupen. The visitors, for their part, remained on the lookout for counterattacks, showing undeniable courage despite the stakes.
The match took a decisive turn in the 35th minute, with a huge tackle from Boris Lambert on the shin, earning him an expulsion from the field. Despite this numerical inferiority, Eupen held on, but Kortrijk stepped on the accelerator as half-time approached, forcing the visitors to defend ardently.
While the fans held their breath, in the 45th minute + 10 minutes of stoppage time, Kadri hit a free kick on Silva’s head which opened the scoring, triggering the explosion of joy in the stands. This opener gave Kortrijk a crucial advantage, putting even more pressure on Eupen to get back into the match.
In the second half, Kortrijk kept the pressure on a tired Eupen defense. Ambrose appeared more and more threatening, weighing on the opposing defense. Despite the efforts of both teams, the score remained unchanged, testifying to the fierce fight on the field.
The end of the meeting was unlike anything. Eupen, completely demobilized, lost his coach at half-time following an expulsion due to an altercation with the opposing goalkeeper coach in the locker room tunnel. In addition, injured, Renaud Emond also left the game. Kadri is the most dangerous player and puts Slonina to work.
In the final seconds, a second turning point takes place. Charles-Cook enters the rectangle and collapses. The referee doesn’t give anything, but the VAR calls on him. His decision does not change, while the images show a contact, slight, but existing. This decision will get people talking.
In any case, Kortrijk wins this match by the smallest of margins, but these three points allow the Kerels to pass in front of the RWDM and to be in a play-off position before going to Charleroi. Yes, Kortrijk still has its fate in its hands.
