“Rein Van Helden breaks the deadlock with a goal right on the stroke of half-time, giving Antwerp a crucial lead to take into the break after a competitive but goalless first half punctuated by four yellow cards.”
Pivotal“Substitute Modibo Fofana doubles Antwerp's advantage just five minutes after coming off the bench, finishing coolly to effectively end Westerlo's hopes of a comeback and make it 2-0.”
Pivotal
Antwerp
Westerlo
Outstanding performance
Antwerp•DefenderAntwerp secured a controlled 2-0 victory over Westerlo at the Bosuilstadion despite being outpossessed and facing a significantly more dangerous attacking threat throughout much of the contest. Westerlo dominated the ball with 54 percent possession and generated 53 dangerous attacks compared to Antwerp's 29, yet a lack of cutting edge — just two shots on target and zero big chances created — ultimately proved their undoing. Antwerp were disciplined and direct, racking up 17 shots to Westerlo's eight and converting their two big chances at the critical moments. Rein Van Helden broke the deadlock right on the stroke of half-time to give Antwerp the cushion they needed, and substitute Modibo Fofana wrapped up the points within five minutes of coming on, turning what had been a nervy lead into a comfortable buffer. The win keeps Antwerp ticking over in the final weeks of the Pro League season, while Westerlo will rue another afternoon of defensive vulnerability despite their attacking intent — the xG story flattering a side that simply could not turn pressure into goals.
How entertaining was this match?
Gerard Vandeplas is on, and Zeno Van Den Bosch is off.
Geoffry Hairemans comes on for Vincent Janssen.
Amando Lapage's right-footed shot is saved.
Thibo Somers takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Christopher Scott takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
Jules Ahoka is on, and Mauricio Benitez is off.
Bi Irie Fernand Goure is substituted for Isa Sakamoto.
Modibo Fofana attempts a header but misses the shot.
Christopher Scott takes a right-footed shot, but it's blocked.
Lucas Mbamba-Muanda replaces Clinton Nsiala Makengo.
Thibo Somers takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Naoufal Bohamdi-Kamoni comes on for Shunsuke Saito.
Afonso Patrao replaces Thomas Van den Keybus.
Naoufal Bohamdi-Kamoni replaces Shunsuke Saito.
Modibo Fofana scores with a header.
Modibo Fofana takes a shot with his right foot, but it is blocked.
Vincent Janssen's left-footed shot is blocked.
Isa Sakamoto takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Yellow card issued to Daam Foulon.
Thibo Somers replaces Farouck Adekami.
Modibo Fofana is on, and Gyrano Kerk is off.
Gyrano Kerk's right-footed shot is saved.
Christopher Scott takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
Vincent Janssen's right-footed shot is saved.
Rein Van HeldenRein Van Helden scores with a right-footed shot.
First half ends with a score of 1-0.
Christopher Scott takes a left-footed shot but misses.
Daam Foulon takes a left-footed shot, but it misses the target.
Vincent Janssen's left-footed shot is blocked.
Farouck Adekami takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Shunsuke Saito takes a right-footed shot but misses.
Farouck Adekami takes a left-footed shot, but it's saved.
Farouck Adekami takes a left-footed shot, but it's saved.
Thomas Van den Keybus takes a right-footed shot, but it's blocked.
Dogucan Haspolat takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Yuto Tsunashima receives a yellow card.
Gyrano Kerk takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Thomas Van den Keybus receives a yellow card.
