Royal Antwerp lifted the Jupiler Pro League title on Sunday after a frantic final match-day that saw all three top teams come within minutes of being crowned champions.
As the final whistle blew in both games, Genk and Royal Antwerp drew 2-2, and Union Saint-Gilloise lost 1-3 to Club Brugge. Antwerp pulled a dramatic last-gap title win thanks to Union's late collapse at home.
However, these results do little to translate the topsy-turvy three-horse race that football fans were treated to on Sunday evening.
Going into the match, the stakes were high, with three possible winners. Royal Antwerp in first place with 46 points had to win to secure the title, with Union Saint-Gilloise level on points (but with a worse goal difference) in second place, and Genk one point behind them in third with 45 points.
Union's supporters pictured in the stands. Credit: Belga / Bruno Fahy
Were Antwerp to drop points and Union were to beat Club Brugge (whose fate was sealed in the fourth spot), then the Brussels side would win the league title. If Union were to lose, and Genk beat Antwerp, then it would be Genk's title.
The permutations were such that the helicopter carrying the league title was constantly hovering between Genk and Brussels as the matches were played.
And it was Genk who put themselves in the driver’s seat when Arokodare put the Limburg side 1-0 up first just before the end of the first half. In the other game, Union were being held to a 0-0 draw with Brugge.
Genk's Tolu Arokodare celebrates after scoring. Credit: Belga / Tom Goyvaerts
As the second half began, Genk’s time at the top did not last for too long.
Union Saint-Gilloise side went 1-0 up through a Simon Adingra strike after a quick counter-attack in the first minute after the restart. At this point, if Union hold on to win, and Antwerp dropped points, the Saint-Gilles side would claim their first title since 1935.
In Genk, Antwerp were still losing 0-1.
Credit: Belga / Kurt Desplenter
In the 58th minute, Antwerp equalised – although this would not be enough to see them be crowned champions as Union were winning.
It looked like it was going to be a historic day for Union when Genk scored a second goal in the 75th minute to go 2-1 up. At this point, Union were only 15 minutes away from becoming champions.
However, football can be a cruel game with the final 10 minutes serving up one of the most dramatic ends to a season the Belgian league has ever seen.
Union Saint-Gilloise, minutes away from winning the league, lost their composure and conceded an equaliser to Brugge in the 89th minute after some poor defending. Suddenly, with Genk winning against Antwerp, the Limburg side was top of the table.
But it wasn't over.
Minutes later, the Brussels side conceded another goal as their heads dropped, putting a final nail in the coffin of Union's league hopes. Up until the 89th minute, it was Union's title. Suddenly, the Jupiler Pro League helicopter was heading back towards Genk.
Union's captain Teddy Teuma who was subbed off for an injury. Credit: Belga / John Thys
Yet, in the dying embers of the game, Royal Antwerp, who went into the match-day in the first place, launched forward for a final attack as Genk’s fans were readying to storm the pitch.
Toby Alderweireld, the Red Devils veteran, took a shot from outside the box that went straight into the top corner to silence the Cekenga Arena and send the Antwerp players and fans in the stadium into utter jubilation.
Antwerp's Toby Alderweireld celebrates after scoring a dramatic goal. Credit: Belga / Tom Goyvaerts
Antwerp's supporters celebrate. Credit: Belga / Tom Goyvaerts
With one minute of stoppage time left, the pendulum swung back to Antwerp, who held onto the draw and win their first league title since 1957.
Meanwhile, in Brussels, Union’s collapse was compounded by a third and final goal from Club Brugge's Noa Lang, who took off his shirt in the celebrations despite the match not meaning anything for the away side.
Credit: Belga / Kurt Desplenter
Union's supporters look dejected. Credit: Belga / Bruno Fahy
Union, having finished the regular season joint-first with Genk, finished in third with 46 points. They will now have to qualify against other European sides to play in the Europa League.
Genk, who were looking like they were going to be crowned champions for under 10 minutes, finished second on 46 points and will have to compete in the qualifying round of the Champions League.
Antwerp crowned Jupiler Pro League champions. Credit: Belga / Tom Goyvaerts
Royal Antwerp though rose to the occasion, as the club’s tagline suggests, lifting the league title and completing a domestic double, having won the Belgian Cup. They have also now qualified for the group stages of the Champions League.
