The 2021 Belgian Cup final, named Croky Cup after the sponsor, was the 66th Belgian Cup final. On 13 March 2021, Standard Liège qualified for their 18th final, losing 9 and winning 8. Genk qualified one day later, reaching their sixth final, winning all but one, namely their latest appearance when they lost the 2018 Belgian Cup Final to Standard Liège. It took place on 25 April 2021 and was won by Genk.
Route to the final
Standard LiègeGenkOpponentResultLegsScorersRoundOpponentResultLegsScorersSeraing (II)4–14–1 awayBokadi, Jans, Klauss, MulekaSixth roundTessenderlo (III)5–0 FF 5–0 FF awayKortrijk (I)1–11–1 away (6–5 p)LaifisSeventh roundSint-Truiden (I)1–01–0 homeOnuachuClub Brugge (I)1–01–0 homeMulekaQuarter-finalsMechelen (I)4–14–1 homeThorstvedt (2), Muñoz, BongondaEupen (I)1–01–0 awayAmallahSemi-finalsAnderlecht (I)2–12–1 awayOnuachu, Miazga
Match Summary In an empty King Baudouin Stadium, both teams started the match eagerly. Genk came close to an early goal, with a shot by Kristian Thorstvedt hitting the post and a first serious warning for Standard Liège. Standard Liège, who had been relying on their fighting spirit throughout the season, lacked sharpness and creativity in the final third of the pitch. At the back, however, they did manage to keep control of the ball and kept Genk at bay after the initial challenge by Thorstvedt. During the 1st half, Théo Bongonda and poacher Paul Onuachu were firmly in the defense's grip.
At the start of the second half, the game split open, when Hugo Siquet lost the ball, Genk immediately sent it to Junya Itō, who left Arnaud Bodart without a chance with a crossed shot. The goal gave Genk confidence and the Limburg team gradually took more and more control of the match. Although Genk was the better team, they still had to watch their backs. The Genk defense had a hard time dealing with the excellent substitute Jackson Muleka, who had the equalizer at his feet, but his shot was a miss. As the game progressed, Standard was forced to take more risks, allowing more space for Genk. Ten minutes before the end of the game, Bongonda took advantage of this to slide in the 0-2. Muleka immediately brought the excitement back with a strong header, but Genk survived the final offensive, winning their 5th Belgian Cup and being assured of European football for the coming season.
Details
GK 16 Arnaud BodartRB 41 Hugo SiquetCB 5 Moussa Sissako CB 34 Konstantinos LaifisLB 24 Nicolas Gavory MF 19 Selim Amallah MF 28 Samuel Bastien MF 8 Gojko Cimirot MF 26 Nicolas Raskin CF 14 KlaussMF 32 Michel-Ange Balikwisha Substitutes:MF 10 Mehdi Carcela FW 17 Jackson Muleka MF 22 Maxime Lestienne GK 1 Jean-François GilletDF 6 Noë DussenneMF 15 Eden ShamirDF 21 Collins Fai DF 33 Damjan PavlovicManager: Mbaye Leye GK 26 Maarten VandevoordtRB 23 Daniel Muñoz CB 46 Carlos CuestaCB 33 Jhon LucumíLB 5 Gerardo Arteaga MF 7 Junya ItōMF 17 Patrik Hrošovský MF 42 Kristian Thorstvedt MF 8 Bryan Heynen CF 10 Théo BongondaCF 18 Paul OnuachuSubstitutes:DF 2 Mark McKenzie FW 9 Cyriel Dessers MF 14 Bastien Toma DF 21 Jere UronenMF 24 Luca OyenGK 40 Tobe LeysenDF 77 Ángelo Preciado Manager: John van den Brom
Assistant referees: Kevin Monteny Yves De Neve Fourth official: Jan Boterberg Match rules 90 minutes. 30 minutes of extra time if necessary. Penalty shoot-out if scores still level. Eight named substitutes. Maximum of three substitutions.
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