Belgian Club Secures 2 1 Triumph In Play Off Round

Cercle Brugge Advances to UEFA Europa League Group Stage after Victory over Wisła Kraków

Belgian Club Secures 2-1 Triumph in Play-Off Round

Cercle Brugge will participate in the group stage of the UEFA Europa League for the first time in their history after edging out Wisła Kraków in the play-off round.

The Belgian club secured a narrow 2-1 victory over the Polish side on Thursday, completing a 3-2 aggregate triumph.

Cercle Brugge took the lead in the 20th minute through Brazilian midfielder Vitinho, who converted a penalty.

Wisła Kraków equalized just before halftime when Giorgi Citaishvili headed home a cross from Zoran Arsenić.

The winning goal came in the 55th minute, as Moroccan forward Ayman El Hassani fired a low shot into the bottom corner.

Cercle Brugge will now be placed in one of eight groups for the Europa League group stage, which begins on September 8.

Key Stats

• Cercle Brugge has never reached the group stage of a major European competition before.
• Wisła Kraków has not participated in the Europa League group stage since 2011-12.
• The Belgian club has won four of their last five matches in all competitions.

What's Next?

Cercle Brugge will host Union Saint-Gilloise in the Belgian First Division A on Sunday, August 21.

Wisła Kraków will travel to face Górnik Zabrze in the Polish Ekstraklasa on Saturday, August 20.