On matchday 18 of the Jupiler Pro League, Cercle hosted KV Mechelen at the Jan Breydel Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Mechelen took the lead in the first half through a goal from a corner, followed by a headed finish from Lauberbach after a well-delivered cross. In the second half, Nazinho pulled one back for Cercle, but a headed goal from Diouf quickly restored Mechelen’s two-goal cushion. Magnée’s late strike in stoppage time came too late, as Cercle eventually fell to a 2-3 defeat.

Double setback just before half-time

Mechelen started the game strongly and created early danger from a corner. Cercle gradually grew into the match, took control and created several chances of their own.

Just after the opening quarter-hour, a long throw-in from Ravych caused problems in the Mechelen box. Adewumi got a shot away, but a fine save from the goalkeeper and the post denied Cercle the opener. Mechelen responded with a long-range effort from Mrabti, well dealt with by Delanghe.

At a moment when Cercle were on top, the visitors struck first through Hammar, who headed home from a corner. Less than ten minutes later, Lauberbach doubled the lead with another header, leaving Cercle trailing 0-2 at the break.

Twice back into the game but nothing more

Cercle came out strongly after the interval and quickly reduced the deficit through a powerful long-range strike from Nazinho. However, the momentum was short-lived as Mechelen struck again just five minutes later, with substitute Diouf heading home from another set piece.

Substitute Gerkens came close twice in quick succession, while Mechelen looked to threaten on the counter. Delanghe kept Cercle in the game with several important interventions.

Deep into stoppage time, after a lengthy VAR review, Cercle were awarded a penalty. Magnée converted emphatically, but the late goal was not enough. Cercle ultimately suffered a 2-3 home defeat against KV Mechelen.

Formations:

KSV Cercle Brugge: Delanghe, Kakou, Agyekum (’71 Diakité), Ngoura (’82 Kouassi), Minda (’45 Gerkens) , Magnée, Adewumi (’82 De Wilde) , Nazinho, Van Der Bruggen, Diop (’71 Jurado) & Ravych

KV Mechelen: Miras, Hammar, Koudou (‘ 90 Decoene), Konate, Van Brederode, Servais, Mrabti, Lauberbach, Salifou (’80 Bandé) & St. Jago