A first-half strike from Kasper Dolberg was all Anderlecht needed to secure a narrow 1-0 victory over Svenska Cupen winners Hacken in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League Second Qualifying Round tie at Constant Vanden Stock. The Belgian giants will carry this slender advantage into the return leg in Gothenburg next Thursday.
Hacken, fresh off a 3-2 aggregate win against Spartak Trnava in the First Qualifying Round, knew they faced a significantly tougher challenge against the record Belgian champions. The opening minutes certainly reflected this, with Anderlecht’s Mario Stroeykens and Nilson Angulo creating early problems for the visitors. Kasper Dolberg even had a golden opportunity to open the scoring after just 13 minutes, but blazed his shot over the bar.
Despite being dominated in possession, Hacken weathered the initial storm and began to carve out chances of their own. The Anderlecht defense was twice called upon to clear efforts off the line, first from a Simon Gustafson header following a corner, and then a few minutes later, Severin Nioule’s powerful drive from the edge of the area was well blocked.
However, just as Hacken seemed to be finding their rhythm, Anderlecht struck. Ten minutes before the break, a loose ball fell kindly to Dolberg on the edge of the box. The Danish forward made no mistake this time, lashing his shot into the bottom corner, leaving Hacken goalkeeper Etrit Berisha with no chance.
The second half saw a more resolute Hacken defense effectively nullify Anderlecht’s attacking threat. Opportunities were scarce for the Purple & White, with their first meaningful effort of the half not arriving until ten minutes from time when Thorgan Hazard held off challenges to fire a shot that Berisha expertly palmed clear at full stretch.
Prior to Hazard’s effort, Hacken had their own chances through Nioule, Marius Lode, and Mikkel Rygaard, though none managed to force a save from Anderlecht’s Colin Coosemans.
Anderlecht will now travel to Gothenburg with a 1-0 aggregate lead, knowing that a place in the Third Qualifying Round and a potential clash against either Red Bull Salzburg or Brann awaits the winner
