KAA Gent make history with Champions League last-16 qualification

KAA Gent became the first Belgian side in 15 years to reach the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League last night, after their 2-1 victory over Russian champions Zenit St Petersburg. A capacity crowd at the Ghelamco Arena watched the Flemish side, which won its first Belgian Pro League title last May, secure safe passage from the group stages of the world’s premier club contest.

Hein Vanhaezebrouck’s team were given raucous cheers after Laurent Depoitre and Danijel Milicevic scored the goals to send the Buffalos through in second place in the group,14 years after Anderlecht reached the second phase of the competition.

Surprise starter Moses Simon was at the heart of Gent’s attacks, and it was one of his threatening runs down the left that prompted the opener. The 20-year-old cleverly delayed his cross, before whipping in a ball that Depoitre guided into the far corner.

With third placed Valencia slipping to a home defeat against Lyon, Gent did not even need a point to ensure their progression, but their dominant first-half performance helped them end Zenit’s perfect record in the group stage. “We knew what we needed to do. We needed to take the initiative,” Vanhaezebrouck said. “We couldn’t do it the typical Belgian way, putting five players at the back.”

Photo courtesy KAA Gent