BRUGGE, Belgium (Interstat) — Club Brugge opened its Belgian First Division A campaign with a 2-1 comeback victory over Gent on Sunday, overcoming an early deficit to secure three points at Jan Breydelstadion.

The visitors from Gent stunned the home crowd in the 21st minute when forward Romeo Vermant found the net, capitalizing on early momentum to take a 1-0 lead. The goal marked a strong start for Gent, which sought to upset the favored hosts on their own ground.

Club Brugge, however, steadily grew into the match and found its equalizer before halftime. The leveling goal arrived in the 52nd minute, courtesy of substitute Maksim Paskotši. The defender, brought on to change the dynamic of the game, delivered by finishing a play assisted by fellow substitute Tiago Araújo.

The match’s decisive moment came deep in the second half. With regulation time winding down, Club Brugge forward Nicolò Tresoldi scored the winner in the 86th minute. The goal was set up by another impactful substitute, Franck Surdez, whose late contribution secured the victory for the hosts.

The result defied the pregame projection from Interstat’s game simulator, which had forecast a 2-2 draw. However, it aligned with the same service’s ELO rating system, which gave Club Brugge a 91.70 percent probability of winning the contest.

The physical encounter saw two yellow cards issued in the latter stages. Gent’s goal-assist provider, Tiago Araújo, was booked in the 65th minute. Club Brugge’s assist-maker, Franck Surdez, received a caution in the 90th minute as the match concluded.

With the win, Club Brugge begins its league season with one win and no losses, while also holding an identical record across all competitions for the new campaign. Gent starts its First Division A season with one loss and no wins, a record that also extends to its overall competitive play.

The match highlighted the impact of substitutions for the winning side, with Paskotši’s goal and assists from Araújo and Surdez proving crucial off the bench. The victory provides Club Brugge with early momentum in the Belgian top flight as the 2025-2026 season gets underway.