Club Brugge reignited their hopes of advancing in the UEFA Champions League with a commanding 4-1 away victory over Kairat Almaty at the Astana Arena on Tuesday, January 20, 2026.
The crucial win, which moves the Belgian side to seven points in the league phase, sets up a decisive final match for a play-off spot while confirming the tournament debutants’ elimination.
Despite a spirited atmosphere from the home support, the gulf in European pedigree became apparent as the match progressed. Club Brugge, led by coach Ivan Leko, broke the deadlock after 32 minutes through a goalkeeping error from Kairat’s Temirlan Anarbekov.
The keeper could only weakly parry a free-kick from Hugo Vetlesen straight to the feet of Aleksandar Stankovic, who fired first-time into an empty net from the edge of the area. The visitors’ advantage was doubled just six minutes later through a well-worked team goal.
A clever, chipped pass from Kyriani Sabbe found Joaquin Seys at the far post, and his headed knock-down was finished from close range by captain Hans Vanaken.
The first half was defined by Brugge’s threat down the flanks, particularly from winger Mamadou Diakhon, who struck the post in the 18th minute. Kairat, under Rafael Urazbakhtin, offered little in response and found themselves overwhelmed in midfield, failing to register a shot on target before halftime.
The second half followed a similar pattern, with Club Brugge controlling possession and patiently waiting to extend their lead. The game was effectively sealed in the 74th minute.
Diakhon, the liveliest attacker throughout, again beat his full-back on the left and sent a low cross across the face of goal, where an unmarked Romeo Vermant had the simple task of tapping home from a few yards out. The Belgian defense, marshaled by the influential Joel Ordóñez and Brandon Mechele, remained largely untroubled.
Mechele then turned scorer himself five minutes from time, meeting a Vanaken cross with a powerful header to make it four.
Kairat’s resilience was rewarded with a spectacular consolation goal in the second minute of added time. Substitute Adilet Sadybekov produced a moment of individual brilliance, unleashing a stunning right-footed volley from outside the box that flew into the net off the post.
The goal prompted a yellow card for his passionate celebration, but it was no more than a footnote on a night of disappointment for the Kazakh champions.
The result leaves Kairat Almaty bottom of the table with a single point from seven matches, confirming the end of their historic first campaign in the Champions League proper. They will finish their journey with a daunting trip to face Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium next week.
For Club Brugge, the mission is clear. They must secure victory in their final league phase match at home against Marseille to have any chance of snatching a top-24 finish and a coveted spot in the competition’s play-off round.