GENK, Belgium (Interstat) — In a stunning reversal of pregame projections, Club Brugge delivered a commanding 5-3 victory over Genk in a high-scoring Belgian First Division A match Friday at Cegeka Arena.

The result defied statistical models, including one from Interstat that had given Genk a 77.80 percent probability to win and projected a 2-2 draw. Instead, the visiting side from Bruges unleashed a potent attack to open their league season with a statement win.

Club Brugge established early dominance with two quick goals. Hugo Vetlesen opened the scoring in the 13th minute, and Romeo Vermant doubled the lead just nine minutes later in the 22nd. Genk’s Yira Sor provided a momentary response, cutting the deficit to 2-1 with a goal in the 24th minute.

Any momentum for the hosts was swiftly extinguished before halftime. Club Brugge captain Hans Vanaken restored the two-goal cushion in the 43rd minute, a critical strike that set the tone for the second half. The sequence just before the break grew heated, resulting in yellow cards for Genk’s Oh Hyeongyu and Club Brugge’s Vermant in stoppage time.

The visitors put the game out of reach shortly after the restart. Daan Heymans found the net in the 51st minute, pushing Club Brugge’s lead to 4-1. Genk showed persistent fight, with Junya Itō scoring in the 76th minute and Aleksandar Stanković adding another in the 80th to make it 4-3 and threaten a dramatic comeback.

However, Club Brugge sealed the three points in the final moments of stoppage time. Cisse Sandra scored in the 93rd minute, securing the 5-3 final and capping a chaotic and prolific offensive display.

The match was a physical affair, with six yellow cards issued. Genk’s Yaimar Medina was booked in the 38th minute, while Club Brugge’s Kyriani Sabbe received a card in the 50th. Genk’s Mujaid Sadick and Club Brugge’s Joel Ordóñez were also cautioned in the second half.

With the win, Club Brugge begins its First Division A campaign with a record of 1 win and 0 losses, while Genk starts 0-1. The records across all competitions for both clubs are identical following this season-opening clash.

The eight-goal spectacle served as a dramatic start to the post-Christmas fixture schedule, with Club Brugge’s efficient attack overpowering a Genk side that, despite scoring three times, could not contain its visitors.