When Christian Burgess, captain of Union Saint‑Gilloise lifted the trophy at the Super Cup 2024Stade Joseph Marien, Club Brugge fell 2‑1 on Sunday, July 20, 2024. The win marked Union’s second consecutive Super Cup triumph and extended their unbeaten streak against the Bruges‑based giants.

Why this match mattered

Historically, Club Brugge has been the heavyweight in Belgian football, boasting more league titles and a dominant head‑to‑head record against Union. In the last 16 meetings, Brugge logged eight wins, five draws and only three victories for the Brussels side. Yet Union entered the showdown on a 10‑game unbeaten run, with nine wins and seven clean sheets, turning the narrative on its head. The clash wasn’t just a curtain‑raiser for the new season; it was a litmus test for who would shape Belgian football’s power balance in the coming months.

Match timeline and key moments

The opening half was a roller‑coaster. Union pressed early, forcing a corner that produced the opening goal in the 12th minute. Simon Mignolet, Brugge’s veteran goalkeeper, dived instinctively but the ball slipped into the net. Club Brugge answered two minutes later, with Hans Vanaken threading a low drive past the Union defence. The dead‑lock was finally broken in the 68th minute when Christian Burgess rose high on a set‑piece to head home the winner.

Stat sheet – the numbers behind the drama

• Possession: Union 53% – Brugge 47%
• Shots on target: Union 6 – Brugge 5
• Corners: Union 7 – Brugge 4
• Pass accuracy: Union 84% – Brugge 81%

These stats underline how evenly matched the teams were, despite the pre‑match chatter that favoured Union on form.

Injuries and squad rotation

Club Brugge were missing several key players. Gustaf Nilsson sat out with a hamstring strain, while promising youngsters Kyriani Sabbe and Bjorn Meijer were sidelined due to separate knocks. The absences forced head‑coach Ronny Deila to reshuffle his midfield, slotting Hugo Vetlesen into a more advanced role. Union, on the other hand, benefited from the recent exit of veteran goalkeeper Anthony Moris, who departed earlier in the week, prompting Burgess to don the captain’s armband for the first time in a final.

Player reactions and coaching comments

After the final whistle, Burgess said, “It feels great to lift the trophy for the fans. We’ve worked hard all season, and today the whole team showed why we belong at the top.” Club Brugge’s captain, Simon Mignolet, admitted disappointment but remained optimistic: “We’ll learn from this. The squad is still young, and we have the quality to bounce back.” Coach Deila added, “Missing Nilsson and the others hurt, but the players showed resilience. We’ll regroup and aim for the league title.”

What the win means for Union Saint‑Gilloise

The victory cements Union’s claim as Belgium’s emerging powerhouse. Extending their unbeaten run to 12 games overall and nine at home, the Brussels club now boasts the longest active streak in the top flight. The triumph also strengthens their brand internationally, with scouts from the Dutch Eredivisie and French Ligue 1 already circling Union’s standout performers. Financially, the Super Cup prize money and associated sponsorship boosts are expected to fund the club’s planned youth academy expansion late next year.

Future outlook for both clubs

Union will look to carry momentum into the Jupiler Pro League, where they sit third after ten games. Their next big test comes against defending champions KRC Genk in early August – a match many pundits will label a “title decider”. For Club Brugge, the focus shifts to the league’s opening weeks and the Europa League group stage. With the injured trio expected back before September, Brugge’s squad depth should return to full strength, giving them a realistic shot at reclaiming domestic dominance.