In the first leg of the play-off matches between Cercle Brugge and Patro Eisden, the Green and Black team secured an excellent position for staying in the top division. Agyekum and Brunner provided a two-goal lead in the first half. In the second half, Cercle dominated Patro, extending the score to 0-5. In stoppage time, Mabanza scored a consolation goal for the home team.

Cercle takes control from the start

Cercle dominated the first half and quickly translated that into attacking threat. Paris Brunner had two chances within a minute: a weak header easily caught by Belin, and a shot that flew wide.

Next time up, they didn’t miss. Felipe Augusto’s clever backheel found Agyekum inside the box, who finished confidently into the far corner. Less than 10 minutes in, Cercle were ahead.

Patro had no immediate answer and could only threaten with a weak effort from Bammens. At the midway point of the half, Magnée launched Brunner on the counterattack. The young German coolly faked the keeper and slotted home: 0-2.

Patro’s biggest first-half chance came just past the half-hour mark. After a neat move, Abid crossed, Utkus cleared — but straight to Van Eenoo. The former Cercle player had the 1-2 at his feet, but shot wide.

Cercle pulls away after the break

The second half couldn’t have started better for Cercle. Felipe Augusto, full of confidence, danced past three defenders and squared for Brunner, who tapped in for 0-3. Barely five minutes later, Brunner was close to a hattrick. He broke away on the counter, beat his man for pace, but couldn’t keep his shot on target.

After providing two assists, Felipe Augusto added his name to the scoresheet. This time, Brunner turned provider, Renson’s clearance fell kindly, and Augusto made it 0-4.

With the match under control, Cercle saw the game out. Patro couldn’t find a way back or mount any serious pressure. If anything, the 0-5 felt inevitable — and it came. Efekele delivered another cross. The Patro defense cleared, but straight to Somers, who calmly slotted home: 0-5.

In stoppage time, Patro managed a late reply. Mabanza was picked out in the box and turned to fire past the keeper, making it 1-5. Just a footnote in a dominant Cercle performance.

That result puts Cercle in a good position heading into next week’s return leg at Jan Breydel — Friday at 20:45.

Line-ups:

Patro Eisden: Belin, Che, Binson, Borry, Kis, Pietermaat (’64 Wilmots), Peeters, Van Eenoo (’79 Mabanza), Abid, Kiankaula (’64 Van Landschoot) & Bammens

KSV Cercle Brugge: Warleson, Utkus (’45 + 5 Diakité), Perrin, Magnée, Ravych, Agyekum (’46 Bruninho), Francis (’71 Van Der Bruggen), Augusto (’71 Efekele), Brunner, Nazinho (’71 Minda) & Somers

Goals:

Agyekum ‘9,  Brunner ’25 & ’50, Felipe Augusto ’58, Somers ’84 & Mabanza ’90 + 5