Three-time championship changed hands in five minutes in the Belgian league
Royal Antwerp leads the playoffs with 46 points, all the way to the final round. Union SG has similar scores, but ranks second due to poor difference. Genk is third with 45 points, while Club Brugge is fourth and has no hope of competition with 33 points.
The evolution of the two matches Genk - Royal Antwerp and Union SG - Club Brugge in the final round created one of the most exciting races in history. The first half and most of the second saw a battle for the top of the table with Genk and Union SG, while Royal Antwerp hung around in second or third.
Minutes 90+3, Noa Lang increased the score to 2-1 for Club Brugge. Back with 46 points, Union SG fell to b and almost ran out of chances to win. In contrast, Genk still leads with 48 points, two points more than Royal Antwerp and better difference than Union SG.
Minutes 90+4, Toby Alderweireld equalized 2-2 for Royal Antwerp. From second place, Royal Antwerp jumped to the top with 47 points. Genk fell to second with one less point. Union SG still ranked third with 46 points.
90+10 minutes, Cisse Sandra fixed a 3-1 victory for Club Brugge against Union SG. Union SG put an end to all hope. Meanwhile, Royal Antwerp preserved the result against Genk, reaching 47 points and winning the championship. Genk and Union SG are right behind with the same 46 points, while Club Brugge is fourth with 36 points.
This is the fifth Belgian championship in Royal Antwerp history, and the first since the 1956-1957 season.
The Belgian Championship is divided into two phases. Phase one consists of 18 teams kicking in a circle twice. At the end of this period, Genk led with 75 points. Union SG also has 75 points, but less than the difference. Meanwhile, Royal Antwerp ranked third with 72 points and Club Brugge ranked fourth with 59 points.
The top four teams of stage one advance to the play-off stage. They start this phase with the score split in half from stage one and rounded off. Genk and Union SG started with 38 points, while Royal Antwerp had 36 and Club Brugge had 30. In the play-off phase, the four teams play in a circle twice.
