The Belgian league title will be decided on the final matchday. That’s the conclusion after Club Brugge’s victory on Sunday afternoon at Anderlecht’s stadium. In Brussels, Jan Vertonghen bid farewell to his football career.
The Jupiler Pro League title will be decided on the final matchday, and Club Brugge made sure of that with an impressive 1-3 victory away at Anderlecht on Sunday afternoon.
In a high-stakes fixture laced with emotion and tension, Brugge did their part to keep their championship hopes alive, while also playing a role in a historic farewell for one of Belgium’s most iconic defenders.
Sunday's clash at Lotto Park wasn’t just another league game it marked the end of Jan Vertonghen’s professional football career. The 37-year-old centre-back, who had a storied career with Ajax, Tottenham, Benfica, and the Belgian national team, played his final minutes in front of the home fans. Ahead of kickoff, tributes poured in on the stadium's big screen, with video messages from footballing greats such as Dries Mertens, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, Romelu Lukaku, and José Mourinho the latter of whom coached Vertonghen during his time in England. Longtime friends and former teammates, including Ajax’s Siem de Jong, were also in attendance to witness the occasion. It was a heartfelt send-off for a player who has been a mainstay in Belgian football for nearly two decades.
As for the match itself, Club Brugge entered the weekend knowing they needed nothing less than a win to keep their title hopes mathematically alive. With Union Saint-Gilloise ahead by a single point and facing their own decisive clash against Gent on the final day, Brugge had no room for error especially not against their oldest and fiercest rivals.
From the opening whistle, the visitors showed urgency and belief. Romeo Vermant, the 20-year-old forward who has quickly become one of the revelations of Brugge’s season, struck first blood in the 15th minute. It was a goal built on instinct and timing: after good movement in the box, Vermant tucked away a low cross with a clinical tap-in, much to the frustration of the home crowd. The young striker had already proven his worth just weeks earlier by scoring twice in the Belgian Cup final also against Anderlecht and once again, he delivered in a big moment.
As the match wore on, the intensity grew. Tempers flared, challenges flew in, and the referees had their hands full trying to keep things under control. But amid the chaos, Club Brugge maintained their focus and doubled their lead just before halftime. This time, Vermant turned provider. Receiving the ball on the wing, he fired in a precise low cross that evaded the defenders. Hugo Vetlesen let it run through his legs with a clever dummy, allowing Hans Vanaken to arrive in stride and calmly slot the ball past the keeper to make it 0-2.
Before Anderlecht could recover, things went from bad to worse. A defensive lapse led to a penalty for Brugge, and Christos Tzolis made no mistake from the spot, converting confidently to stretch the lead to 0-3. The first half had barely ended, but Brugge were already cruising at least on the scoreboard. Despite the goals, the stadium atmosphere was strangely subdued. Club Brugge supporters had been banned from attending the match, a decision that left Lotto Park eerily quiet even in moments of high drama.
Anderlecht did manage to respond just before the break. In added time at the end of the first half, Mario Stroeykens produced a moment of individual brilliance, curling a beautiful strike past the goalkeeper to make it 1-3 and give the home side a glimmer of hope.
However, the second half offered little in terms of drama or momentum shifts. Anderlecht struggled to create clear chances, and Club Brugge, content with their two-goal cushion, focused on managing the game and preserving energy for the final round. The result never looked in danger.
With the win secured, Brugge moved up to 46 points in the Championship Playoffs, just one behind Union Saint-Gilloise, who had picked up an easy win the previous week against Antwerp. The scenario is now simple but cruelly dependent on others: if Club Brugge defeat Royal Antwerp next weekend, and Union fail to win against AA Gent, then the title will return to Bruges. However, if Union win their match, they will be crowned Belgian champions for the first time since 1935 ending a 90-year drought.
As for Anderlecht, their season now winds down with little left to play for. Once firmly in the title conversation, their form faltered at the worst possible time, and they now watch from the sidelines as their two biggest rivals battle it out for glory.
Meanwhile, Jan Vertonghen’s career comes to a close. With more than 150 caps for Belgium and over 600 appearances at club level, he leaves behind a legacy of consistency, leadership, and professionalism. Although the day ended in defeat for his team, the spotlight rightfully remained on his achievements and his lasting impact on Belgian football.
All eyes now turn to the final matchday. For Club Brugge, hope remains slim, but real. For Union Saint-Gilloise, the chance to make history is within reach. One last 90 minutes will decide it all.
