Alderweireld strike wins Antwerp first Belgian league title in 64 years

June 5 – On a rollercoaster final day of the season, Antwerp won the Belgian league for the first time since 1957 thanks to a late strike by former Southampton and Tottenham defender Toby Alderweireld to draw 2-2 at Racing Genk, enough to keep Union at bay, who ultimately lost 3-1 to Club Brugge.  

The denouement of the Belgian league season could not have been more dramatic.

At minute 88, Union were on their way to their first league crown since war times, a minute later Racing Genk snatched the league title lead from Union, but ultimately Antwerp prevailed in the 94th minute following a wonder strike by veteran defender Toby Alderweireld to claim their first title in 66 years.

“I have no words for that,” said Alderweireld. “We worked so hard for this. The team deserves it. Everyone had already written us off…I personally fought so hard for this, for my own city. Everyone was against us, but we did it.”

Union had the momentum going into the final day of the season following their laboured goalless draw at Antwerp, but once again Club Brugge proved to be the club’s nemesis. With late goals from Noa Lang and Cisse Sandra, the visitors extinguished Union’s hopes of winning their first league title since 1935, leaving the Dudenpark stunned.

Last season, on their return to the top flight, Union finished runners-up behind Club Brugge. This time, Tony Bloom’s team came third. For Antwerp, it was their first league and cup double as well.

“It’s been a very long season and you felt that too,” said Union CEO Philippe Bormans. “The players gave everything once more, but in the end, they still came up short. Ten minutes separate us from the title and the harsh reality of football is that we are now also only third.”

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