Raphael Onyedika and Club Brugge outclassed rivals Anderlecht 2-1 in the Belgian Cup final on Sunday, securing the club’s 12th cup title in a pulsating contest at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels.
The 24-year-old Nigerian international started the match and anchored the midfield for 74 minutes, helping Brugge control the tempo, break Anderlecht’s rhythm, and withstand late pressure.
Romeo Vermant, the 21-year-old forward, emerged the hero with a brace in each half, but it was the composure and grit of Onyedika in midfield that helped Brugge dictate proceedings and hold off a late Anderlecht surge.
Brugge Dominate in 202nd ‘Belgian Classico’
In one of the most anticipated clashes in Belgian football — the 202nd installment of the fierce Brugge-Anderlecht rivalry — it was the men in blue who seized the initiative early.
Vermant’s opener came after a brilliant cross from Hugo Siquet, and he doubled Brugge’s lead minutes into the second half with a smart finish off a Christos Tzolis assist. Anderlecht’s Luis Vázquez pulled one back late on, but it proved too late as Brugge held on for a memorable win.
Raphael Onyedika Midfield Masterclass
Raphael Onyedika, 24, started the final and featured for 74 minutes. Despite picking up a yellow card in the 22nd minute, he remained disciplined, keeping Anderlecht’s creative engine at bay and slowing down their transitions with timely interceptions.
Onyedika’s Numbers Speak Volumes
Raphael Onyedika numbers speak volumes. He has quietly been one of Brugge’s most influential players this season:
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31 league appearances
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2,213 minutes played
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27 starts
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1 goal, 1 assist
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UEFA Champions League goal vs Manchester City (Jan 29, 2025)
He opened his domestic account with a strike in the 7-0 demolition of Sint-Truiden last November, and has since grown into one of the most consistent midfielders in Belgium.
In Sunday’s final, he was replaced by Hugo Vetlesen in the 74th minute after another tireless shift, as Brugge held firm despite a late goal from Anderlecht striker Luis Vázquez.
Brugge One Point from Top — Raphael Onyedika Key to Double Bid
With the Belgian Cup now secured, Club Brugge’s focus shifts to the league, where they remain in hot pursuit of the title. The team sits just one point behind Union Saint-Gilloise with three games remaining, keeping their domestic double hopes very much alive.
Brugge will face Genk on May 11, a clash that could define their season. Given his form, Onyedika is expected to retain his starting spot in midfield and play a decisive role down the final stretch.
If Brugge do lift the league crown, it would mark their first double since the 1995/96 season.
Transfer Buzz Around Raphael Onyedika
With performances like this, it’s no surprise that Raphael Onyedika is attracting attention from Europe’s elite. He has been linked with moves to Manchester City, AC Milan, and PSG, though he has remained focused on finishing the season strong with Brugge.
Signed from FC Midtjylland in August 2022, Onyedika has evolved from a promising talent into one of Belgium’s top midfield enforcers, drawing praise for his physicality, intelligence, and work ethic.
Former Genk coach Wouter Vrancken recently hinted at Onyedika’s potential exit, while Brugge teammates have even jokingly pointed out his infamous training ground tardiness — a sign of how closely he’s being watched off the pitch, too.
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