After a cautious start by both teams, halfway through the first half, Zirkzee’s 1-0 suddenly fell out of the sky. The excellent assist was from Ashimeru, Zirkzee tipped the ball neatly over Butez into the goal: one chance, one goal.
The 1-0 was the signal for the Purple & White to shift up a gear. Antwerp saw stars and should be happy that Verschaeren and Zirkzee left the 2-0.
Shortly before half time another goal fell from the sky, but this time from the other side. With a rare Antwerp counterstick, Buta skilfully slipped past Gomez and offered Yusuf the flattered equalizer.
The second half also started slowly, and it was Anderlecht that broke things open. Kouamé was knocked down in the box by Butez: penalty! Refaelov was cool-headed and placed the ball perfectly in the top corner: 2-1.
The home team had mainly to blame for the fact that it remained exciting until the final whistle. Kouamé and substitutes Amuzu and Raman failed to decide the match. However, Antwerp could no longer avert the defeat and now has to leave third place to Anderlecht.
