Alderweireld's Antwerp fairy tale
World Soccer|August 2023
It was an incredible fairy-tale ending to a rollercoaster afternoon of unrelenting and thrilling drama on the final day of the Belgian league season
Alderweireld's Antwerp fairy tale

In the 94th minute, Toby Alderweireld, a veteran of the Belgian game back at his hometown club Antwerp, delivered the coup de grace to opponents Genk and fellow title rivals Union SaintGilloise. His goal almost defied his team’s blue-collar style. With perfect timing, he steered his shot into the top left corner and the ball rippled the net with a crushing finality, signalling the end of a long 66-year wait: for the first time since 1957 Antwerp were champions of Belgium again.

Cue delirium. Alderweireld sprinted across the pitch towards the away fans, followed by coach Mark van Bommel, the rest of the team and staff members. Scenes of ecstasy were repeated at Antwerp’s Bosuilstadion where those without tickets had watched the match on big screens. In Brussels, the picturesque Joseph Marien Stadium was enveloped in a sense of delusion and incomprehension.

Football, Union supporters learned once again, is a cruel sport.

After all, this should have been Union’s day. All afternoon, there had been a crackle in the air in the narrow streets of Saint-Gilles. The local club, with deep roots in the fabric of Brussels football, were on the verge of winning the Belgian league crown for the first time since 1935. They had also reached the last eight of the Europa League, falling at the hands of Bayer Leverkusen in a season when Belgian clubs were confronted with the stark reality that the Europa Conference League was their new European home. Gent and Anderlecht featured in the quarter-finals of Europe’s new third-tier club competition.

Denne historien er fra August 2023-utgaven av World Soccer.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra August 2023-utgaven av World Soccer.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA WORLD SOCCERSe alt
Going for Gold in Paris- There are plenty of candidates vying for the Olympic gold medal in the women's football tournament this summer
World Soccer

Going for Gold in Paris- There are plenty of candidates vying for the Olympic gold medal in the women's football tournament this summer

There are plenty of candidates vying for the Olympic gold medal in the women's football tournament this summer

time-read
5 mins  |
July 2024
Face to face - Tom Sainfiet- The final goal is to reach the World Cup and write history - The Belgian coach speaks to World Soccer
World Soccer

Face to face - Tom Sainfiet- The final goal is to reach the World Cup and write history - The Belgian coach speaks to World Soccer

The well-travelled Belgian coach speaks to World Soccer after taking charge of the Philippines-his 11th international coaching role

time-read
4 mins  |
July 2024
Inter cruise to title number 20
World Soccer

Inter cruise to title number 20

Simone Inzaghi's Internazionale shrug off all challengers before sealing the Serie A title in style against their biggest rivals

time-read
3 mins  |
July 2024
HAT-TRICK HERO
World Soccer

HAT-TRICK HERO

Ademola Lookman wrote his name into European football's history books with a hat-trick in the Europa League final

time-read
6 mins  |
July 2024
GOING UP
World Soccer

GOING UP

The story of Sweden striker Viktor Gyokeres' career has been one of upward trajectory - and there's plenty more to come from the Sporting superstar

time-read
6 mins  |
July 2024
Palau soldier on alone
World Soccer

Palau soldier on alone

The isolated Pacific nation faces a long and lonely battle to improve football on the island

time-read
2 mins  |
July 2024
Brazilian clubs eye Copa number six
World Soccer

Brazilian clubs eye Copa number six

As the Copa Libertadores group stage concludes, a sixth consecutive Brazilian winner is looking likely

time-read
3 mins  |
July 2024
AI Hilal sweep to another Saudi crown
World Soccer

AI Hilal sweep to another Saudi crown

The first edition of the Saudi Pro League's glamorous new era ends with a familiar title winner

time-read
3 mins  |
July 2024
Disasters brewing
World Soccer

Disasters brewing

There is still a long way to go in World Cup qualifying, but dysfunction reigns at Cameroon, Congo and Nigeria after four matchdays in the group stage

time-read
3 mins  |
July 2024
Second round of World Cup qualifying underway
World Soccer

Second round of World Cup qualifying underway

Favourites perform largely as expected, yet Cayman Islands dominate the headlines

time-read
3 mins  |
July 2024