2021 Belgian Cup final explained

2021 Belgian Cup final
Event:2020–21 Belgian Cup
Team1:Standard Liège
Team1score:1
Team2:Genk
Team2score:2
Details:25 April 2021
Stadium:King Baudouin Stadium
City:Brussels
Referee:Bram Van Driessche
Attendance:0
Previous:2020
Next:2022

The 2021 Belgian Cup final, named Croky Cup after the sponsor, was the 66th Belgian Cup final. On 13 March 2021, Standard Liège qualified for their 18th final, losing 9 and winning 8. Genk qualified one day later, reaching their sixth final, winning all but one, namely their latest appearance when they lost the 2018 Belgian Cup Final to Standard Liège. It took place on 25 April 2021 and was won by Genk.

Route to the final

See also: 2020–21 Belgian Cup.

Standard LiègeGenk
OpponentResultLegsScorersRoundOpponentResultLegsScorers
Seraing (II)4–14–1 awayBokadi, Jans, Klauss, MulekaSixth roundTessenderlo (III)5–0 FF [1] 5–0 FF away
Kortrijk (I)1–11–1 away (6–5 p)LaifisSeventh roundSint-Truiden (I)1–01–0 homeOnuachu
Club Brugge (I)1–01–0 homeMulekaQuarter-finalsMechelen (I)4–14–1 homeThorstvedt (2), Muñoz, Bongonda
Eupen (I)1–01–0 awayAmallahSemi-finalsAnderlecht (I)2–12–1 away

Match

Summary

In an empty King Baudouin Stadium, both teams started the match eagerly. Genk came close to an early goal, with a shot by Kristian Thorstvedt hitting the post and a first serious warning for Standard Liège. Standard Liège, who had been relying on their fighting spirit throughout the season, lacked sharpness and creativity in the final third of the pitch. At the back, however, they did manage to keep control of the ball and kept Genk at bay after the initial challenge by Thorstvedt. During the 1st half, Théo Bongonda and poacher Paul Onuachu were firmly in the defense's grip.

At the start of the second half, the game split open, when Hugo Siquet lost the ball, Genk immediately sent it to Junya Itō, who left Arnaud Bodart without a chance with a crossed shot. The goal gave Genk confidence and the Limburg team gradually took more and more control of the match. Although Genk was the better team, they still had to watch their backs. The Genk defense had a hard time dealing with the excellent substitute Jackson Muleka, who had the equalizer at his feet, but his shot was a miss. As the game progressed, Standard was forced to take more risks, allowing more space for Genk. Ten minutes before the end of the game, Bongonda took advantage of this to slide in the 0-2. Muleka immediately brought the excitement back with a strong header, but Genk survived the final offensive, winning their 5th Belgian Cup and being assured of European football for the coming season.

Details

GK 16 Arnaud Bodart
RB 41 Hugo Siquet
CB 5
CB 34 Konstantinos Laifis
LB 24
MF 19
MF 28
MF 8
MF 26
CF 14 Klauss
MF 32
Substitutes:
MF 10
FW 17
MF 22
GK 1 Jean-François Gillet
DF 6 Noë Dussenne
MF 15 Eden Shamir
DF 21
DF 33 Damjan Pavlovic
Manager:
Mbaye Leye
GK 26 Maarten Vandevoordt
RB 23
CB 46 Carlos Cuesta
CB 33 Jhon Lucumí
LB 5
MF 7 Junya Itō
MF 17
MF 42
MF 8
CF 10 Théo Bongonda
CF 18 Paul Onuachu
Substitutes:
DF 2
FW 9
MF 14
DF 21 Jere Uronen
MF 24 Luca Oyen
GK 40 Tobe Leysen
DF 77
Manager:
John van den Brom
Assistant referees


Kevin Monteny
Yves De Neve
Fourth official


Jan Boterberg

Match rules
  • 90 minutes.
  • 30 minutes of extra time if necessary.
  • Penalty shoot-out if scores still level.
  • Eight named substitutes.
  • Maximum of three substitutions.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Ook geen bekerwedstrijden voor amateurclubs Rupel Boom en Thes. No cup matches for amateur clubs Rupel Boom and Thes as well. sporza.be . 19 January 2021.