Match day Three of the Jupiler Pro League put Club on the road to the Cegeka Arena, where it was to meet with locals KRC Genk. After an intense first half with plenty of chances, Skov Olsen was able to give Club the lead on the stroke of halftime. After the break, the Danish winger even managed to double the score, but Genk clawed its way back into the game after a Steuckers penalty goal. At the end of regular playing time, Genk drew level through a Tolu header, and even went over Club minutes later through Hrošovský, leaving Club still in search of their first win of the season.
No time to waste in the clash between Genk and Club. The two teams have had their share of worries in the two opening games, and went full throttle right from kick-off, resulting in two good opportunities for Tolu in the first five. Two minutes into the game, Onyedika forgot to pick up the ball in midfield, allowing Tolu to take a crack, but the ball went over. A few minutes later, Bonsu Baah set up Genk's tall striker, but the ball again went over. Club reacted quickly, with Nilsson making his way toward the box and firing it in from a fine angle, but Van Crombrugge and the crossbar denied Club that crucial opener. Club now kept coming, with Nusa trying to threaten Genk's goalie, but Genk also remained dangerous through Tolu, but this time Mignolet got to the ball quicker than the fiery forward, who was unable to frame his header upon a fine Kayembe cross moments later.
With temperatures soaring at the Cegeka Arena, the two teams halted for a drink, and the pace lowered somewhat, keeping both teams from creating many more chances. Club restored the balance and tried to threaten through Vetlesen, who maneuvered well past his opponent. His shot was too meak, however, finding Van Crombrugge on his path. On the stroke of halftime, however, the nets started to shake, and to Club's advantage! Nusa advanced with the ball and dribbled at speed past a few players to then cleverly find Skov Olsen in the box. The latter remained true to his calm nautre, tucking it perfectly with his right. An important lead for the visitors as they made their way to the dressing rooms.
The same 22 names took on the second half which started in the same fashion as the first, with an immediate chance for the hosts: Nkuba coming in from the wing, and lashing out on goal, but the ball chipped off Bonsu Baah to go juuuuust wide of goal, where Mignolet was nailed to the ground. A few minutes later Club responded through Nusa, but his beautiful curl to the far post was cleverly cleared by Van Crombrugge. Just before the hour, Genk threatened once more through a Bonsu Baah cross towards the far post, but fortunately the angle was too acute and Nkuba was unable to frame his effort. Shortly after, Club again made its way to the score line, and again through Skov Olsen: a sharp cross came to Nilsson, deviating the leather towards Vanaken, who beat Van Crombrugge to the ball to direct it to Skov Olsen with the easy tap in. A VAR check for possible hand play was cleared, so Club had a nice cushion for the remainder of the game. Or so it seemed. Halfway through the second half, Mechele had an unfortunate touch to the ball with his hand inside the box, and the ensuing penalty kicked was eagerly fired in by Steuckers.
The home team now really smelled blood and actively went in search of the equalizer, which seemed to come instantly through Steuckers again, but he was deemed offside. That same Steuckers almost capitalised on ball loss by Club a bit later, but this time Mignolet managed to save the day. Another drinks break later, Club managed to catch its breath somewhat, producing a threat through De Cuyper, but his shot got deflected and posed no threat to Van Crombrugge. Genk kept coming, and as Steuckers found Tolu in front of goal with another of those fine Genk crosses, the 2-2 finally came. Again VAR checked, but this time the goal counted. A shocked Club now also strode forward, but chances for Jutglà and Tzolis went missing.
With 11 minutes of added time, both teams had plenty of time to make the game go their way, and it was Genk that managed to create the remontada as Hrošovský took the ball from outside the box and swinging it past a hapless Mignolet. Club had one more chance to draw level, but Vanaken's shot found too many Genk defenders on its way to avoid another defeat.
Jupiler Pro League - Match day 3
Audience: 23,718 - Cegeka Arena
Referee: Mr. Nicolas Laforge
KRC Genk: Hendrik Van Crombrugge - Mujaid Sadick, Matte Smets, Josue Kongolo (71' Bryan Heynen), Joris Kayembe - Ken Nkuba (66' Zakaria El-Ouahdi), Nikolas Sattlberger (64' Konstantinos Karetsas), Patrik Hrošovský - Jarne Steuckers, Tolu Arokodare, Christopher Bonsu Baah (65' Yira Sor).
Bench: Mike Penders, Mark McKenzie, Bryan Heynen, Yira Sor, Andi Zeqiri, Hyeon-gyu Oh, Konstantinos Karetsas, Ibrahima Sory Bangoura, Noah Adedeji-Sternberg, Zakaria El-Ouahdi.
Club Brugge: Simon Mignolet - Hugo Siquet (65' Joaquin Seys), Brandon Mechele, Joel Ordóñez, Maxim De Cuyper - Raphael Onyedika (82' Ardon Jashari), Hugo Vetlesen, Hans Vanaken - Andreas Skov Olsen (66' Christos Tzolis), Gustaf Nilsson (65' Ferran Jutglà), Antonio Nusa (66' Michał Skóraś).
Bench: Nordin Jackers, Dani van den Heuvel, Zaid Romero, Joaquin Seys, Ardon Jashari, Casper Nielsen, Michał Skóraś, Chemsdine Talbi, Christos Tzolis, Ferran Jutglà, Romeo Vermant.
Coach: Nicky Hayen.
Yellow: Vetlesen, Nkuba, Tzolis, Kayembe
Red: none
Goals: 45' Skov Olsen (0-1), 60' Skov Olsen (0-2), 68' Steuckers (1-2), 83' Tolu Arokodare (2-2), 90+4' Hrošovský (3-2)