Club Brugge delivered a clinical UEFA Champions League performance on Wednesday, beating Lens 3–0 at Jan Breydel Stadium despite the visitors producing more shots. Hans Vanaken broke the deadlock in first-half stoppage time (45+3′), Joaquin Seys doubled the advantage shortly after the restart (50′), and Carlos Forbs completed the victory in the 72nd minute.
The league-phase fixture turned decisively around the interval. Lens were still level as the opening half entered added time, but Vanaken’s breakthrough ensured Brugge went into the dressing room with a 1–0 lead. Five minutes into the second half, Seys made the visitors’ task considerably tougher.
Brugge strike either side of the interval
Vanaken’s goal in the third minute of first-half stoppage time provided the crucial breakthrough, arriving shortly after Lens defender Matthieu Udol had been booked in the 45th minute. It was a damaging moment for the visitors to concede, with the interval almost within reach.
Seys then struck in the 50th minute to establish a two-goal cushion. Those goals either side of half-time transformed the contest, leaving Lens needing a substantial response to salvage a result.
Forbs supplied the final goal in the 72nd minute, putting Brugge three clear and leaving the hosts firmly on course for all three points.
Lens’ shot advantage brings no reward
The final margin did not reflect a shortage of attempts from Lens. The French side registered 19 shots to Brugge’s 11 and put seven on target, compared with five for the hosts. They also won five corners to Brugge’s one, yet finished without a goal.
Brugge, meanwhile, held 57.3% possession and converted three of their five attempts on target. That efficiency was the defining contrast: Lens generated the greater volume of shooting, but the Belgian side made their opportunities count.
Felix Lemarechal was booked in the 61st minute, with further yellow cards for Brugge’s Hugo Vetlesen in the 79th and Lens’ Michal Skoras in the 80th. Neither side received a red card.
Three points and a clean sheet
For Brugge, this was a victory built on decisive timing and ruthless finishing. The opening goal just before half-time and the second soon after it gave the hosts a commanding platform, before the third removed any lingering doubt.
Lens leave Belgium with plenty of attempts but nothing to show for them. Brugge take the more valuable returns: three Champions League points, three goals and a clean sheet.
