After the opening goal, Blauw-Zwart went for a more conservative approach. The breakthrough was there and Club clearly did not want to give anything away anymore. The biggest danger remained for the home team. Thanks to the initiative of Vanaken and Skov Olsen, there were a few attempts. Akureyri went for a completely different approach. The Icelanders placed a low block that seemed difficult to get through. Consequently, ball possession in the first half was clearly in Club's favor.
Around the half-hour mark, however, Mignolet was put to work for the first time. With some follow-through from Steingrimsson, the ball found its way to Sigurgeirsson who shot at goal from close range. Mignolet went well flat and was able to save the attempt relatively easily. After this opportunity, the home team also came on with goal threat. After a few minutes, Jajalo had to show his ability twice again. A first time when he had to pluck a dangerous cross from Skov Olsen and a second time when Igor Thiago suddenly came face to face with him. The Brazilian striker was just unable to give his shot enough venom for the goalkeeper to save.
Five minutes before halftime, the Icelanders seemed to be out of luck. After a great corner by Nusa, Vanakan was completely free to calmly head the ball in. Barely a minute after the double lead, Andreas Skov Olsen got free in front of goal after a great through pass from Vetlesen to immediately tap in the third of the evening. Things suddenly went very fast for Club who deservedly scored a couple more goals just before halftime. In injury time of the first half, Maxim De Cuyper went over the leg of defender Rodri in the penalty area. Referee Milanovic did not hesitate and whistled the penalty. Igor Thiago got behind the ball and neatly converted the penalty kick into the bottom right corner. After an explosive first half from Club, the home team went into halftime with a 4-0 lead.
After halftime, coach Deila immediately packed out with a triple substitution. Thiago, Skov Olsen and Mechele made way for Yaremchuk, Nielsen and Ordóñez, respectively. With Spileers and Ordóñez, the coach opted for a young central duo who shined last year at Club NXT. Blue-Black clearly wanted to continue its momentum after halftime. After five minutes, the Bruges players got through the defense again with a smooth combination. On a cross from Skov Olsen, Yaremchuk was able to head on goal from close range. However, the Ukrainian was unlucky as Jajalo just barely got a finger on it and pushed the ball against the post. In the early stages of the second half, Club displayed a lot of drive in front with a monopoly on ball possession.
On the hour, the Icelanders were able to break through for once. After a quick action on the left flank by substitute Arnason, the ball came to another substitute Harley Willard. He did not hesitate and put the ball past Mignolet. Blauw-Zwart conceded a goal after a dominant opening quarter. A minute after the goal there was another key moment. Brand new acquisition Philip Zinckernagel made his first minutes in the Club Brugge shirt. The fans applauded him loudly.
Zinckernagel showed himself in the match. He often outsmarted the defenders and forced a corner around the seventieth minute. The Dane got behind the ball himself and reached Hans Vanaken, who could not frame his header. The debutant made himself noticed immediately. Another young player who wanted to show himself was Nusa. The Norwegian had a lot of ball possession and forced chances. Around minute seventy-five, the flank player showed off a feint and kicked the ball from outside the sixteen just over the goal.
At the start of the final quarter, the tempo was increased for a moment. On the right flank, Nusa set up De Cuyper who crossed it high. Roman Yaremchuk was able to anticipate the cross and took it superbly on the volley. The ball landed beautifully in the Icelanders' goal, giving the Ukrainian his first goal of the season. His goal was loudly chanted by the supporters.
