Ghent, Belgium, 30 August (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – KAA Gent defeated Club Brugge 2-1 in the Slag om Vlaanderen on Sunday, with 18-year-old Ibrahima Cissé scoring a late winner after the visitors were reduced to ten men. The KAA Gent vs Club Brugge result maintained Gent’s perfect league start while handing the defending champions their first points loss of the campaign.
The hosts took the lead at the Planet Group Arena in the 39th minute. Araujo delivered from the left and José Vergara converted to put Rik De Mil’s side ahead. Club Brugge responded almost immediately, however, as Carlos Forbs supplied Hans Vanaken, whose finish made it 1-1 before half-time.
Why Club Brugge’s red card changed the match
The decisive moment came in the second half when Forbs was shown a straight red card in the 70th minute following an incident involving Siebe Van der Heyden. The dismissal left Club Brugge attempting to protect the draw — or find a winner — with ten players.
Gent eventually exploited their numerical advantage. Matties Volckaert supplied the ball from the right in the 85th minute and Cissé beat goalkeeper Yann Sommer to put the Buffaloes 2-1 ahead. The Senegalese forward, born on 24 September 2007, is 18 and had joined Gent from Club Olympique Thiessois, initially linking up with the club’s development side.
The closing stages remained eventful. Romeo Vermant sent a late attempt over the bar as Club sought an equaliser, while Cissé himself was subsequently dismissed in stoppage time. Gent nevertheless protected their advantage to complete a significant KAA Gent vs Club Brugge victory.
What the defeat means for Club Brugge
Club Brugge entered the fixture with a perfect league record and had yet to concede, while Gent were also unbeaten and arrived with additional momentum after securing their place in the UEFA Conference League league phase.
Before the game, Club Brugge coach Ivan Leko acknowledged Gent’s European momentum, saying: “It is fantastic that we are going into Europe again with five teams. That is great, also for Gent.” He described the derby as a major match and said Gent’s European result would provide them with a boost.
For Gent, Cissé’s contribution offers another indication of the teenager’s growing first-team role. The club described him when he arrived as a 1.96-metre striker with strong physical qualities, while his official profile lists him as a Senegalese forward.
What happens next for Gent and Club Brugge?
The KAA Gent vs Club Brugge result gives De Mil’s side nine points from their opening three league fixtures and extends an encouraging start that has also included European qualification. Club Brugge, meanwhile, must respond after losing their perfect domestic record.
Gent’s official schedule lists OH Leuven as their next league opponent on 3 September at the Planet Group Arena, followed by an away match against Cercle Brugge on 6 September.
