AA Gent claimed victory in the Flemish Derby by defeating Club Brugge 2-1 in a thrilling Jupiler Pro League match at the Planet Group Arena. The win gives the Buffaloes their third consecutive victory, maintaining a perfect start to the season with nine points from three games, as reported by HLN Voetbal on Saturday, August 30, 2026.
Josue Vergara opened the scoring in the 38th minute, but Hans Vanaken equalized for the visitors just two minutes later. The match turned in the 70th minute when Carlos Forbs received a straight red card for pushing Siebe Van der Heyden. Despite being a man down, Ibrahima Cissé scored the winning goal in the 85th minute following an assist from Volckaert. This result handed Club Brugge its first defeat of the season.
How did the match unfold?
The first half was lively with chances at both ends. Vergara hit the crossbar for Gent, while Club Brugge goalkeeper Yann Sommer saved an effort from Sonko. After halftime, the game faded for about 25 minutes until the red card incident. That moment changed the dynamic of the match. Despite the dismissal, Gent managed to maintain pressure and eventually found the winner. In added time, Romeo Vermant had a big chance to extend the lead further.
What was the impact of the red card on Club Brugge?
The red card for Carlos Forbs was a pivotal moment. Club Brugge goalkeeper Yann Sommer stated afterwards that his team did not defend smartly after going a man up. "Verdedigen niet slim na rode kaart," Sommer said. The incident also resulted in a yellow card for Siebe Van der Heyden. Club Brugge failed to capitalize on their numerical advantage and watched as Gent took control of the game. Yellow cards for Freddie Potts, Brandon Mechele, and Joaquin Seys highlighted the growing frustration among the visitors.
What is Gent's current position in the league?
With this win, AA Gent has collected nine points from three matches. The team currently sits eighth in the Jupiler Pro League, with six points from two played games and a goal difference of +3. They are six points behind leaders Charleroi. The next challenge is already scheduled: a home match against OH Leuven on Thursday, September 3. Leuven is currently 16th in the table, offering an opportunity to further improve their league position. Fans can view the full schedule on our fixtures page.
What were the other key moments?
Beyond the goals and cards, several substitutions influenced the flow of the game. Michel Ange Balikwisha made his debut for AA Gent after coming on in the 82nd minute. Other changes for Gent included Mamadou Diakhon making way for Jan Virgili and Freddie Potts being replaced by Romeo Vermant. Club Brugge manager Nicky Hayen introduced players like Félix Lemaréchal and Hugo Siquet. Christian Burgess, a stalwart in the Gent defense, was pleased with the outcome. "Hier moeten we op verder bouwen," the defender said. The team can look ahead to the coming matches with confidence, as tracked in our standings.
