On matchday 4 of the Champions’ Play-offs, the Mauves hosted Royal Antwerp FC. A crucial clash in the race for European spots on Easter Sunday. After a closed and uneventful match, both teams cancelled each other out. Despite a final push, Sporting had to settle for a goalless draw.
The visitors kicked off in a lively Lotto Park. The home side started brightly and dominated possession early on, but failed to create real chances. After fifteen minutes, Antwerp showed signs of danger for the first time through Kerk, whose effort sailed over Colin Coosemans’ goal. Samuel Edozie also tried his luck from just outside the box, but Senne Lammens wasn’t troubled. Both teams were evenly matched in the first half, with neither managing to threaten. A logical 0-0 scoreline at halftime.
Sporting came out sharp after the break. Nilson Angulo won an early corner, but Lucas Hey just missed connecting. Moments later, Leander Dendoncker fired from distance, but his shot went just over. Most of Sporting’s threats came from wide areas, but Antwerp’s defence stood strong. Around the hour mark, Theo Leoni was replaced by Thorgan Hazard, who immediately made an impact. He found Edozie, who cut inside and shot just over the bar. Besnik Hasi made four more changes, introducing César Huerta, Moussa Ndiaye, Majeed Ashimeru, and Luis Vázquez. Hazard came closest to scoring twice but was denied both times by a solid Lammens, while Angulo couldn’t keep his cool in the dying minutes. The score remained unchanged, and RSCA and RAFC shared the points in the Park.


