BRUGGE, Belgium (Interstat) — Club Brugge KV scored three unanswered goals and defeated Lens (Fra) 3-0 at Jan Breydelstadion on Wednesday, securing a second win in as many competition matches. Hans Vanaken opened the scoring in first-half stoppage time, Joaquin Seys doubled the lead early in the second half and Carlos Borges, also listed as Forbs C., finished the scoring in the 72nd minute. The Belgian side controlled the match after a tight opening period and turned its chances into a decisive home victory. Lens could not recover after conceding just before halftime and remained without a goal in the match.

The opening goal arrived in the third minute of first-half stoppage time when Vanaken scored to give Club Brugge a 1-0 lead at the break. Lens had been compact through the first half and had a yellow card to M. Udol in the 45th minute, but the late goal changed the match. Club Brugge pushed forward after halftime and Seys scored in the 50th minute to make it 2-0. Seys and Vanaken each scored, while Borges added the third goal in the 72nd minute. Hugo Vetlesen played 23 minutes, provided an assist and received a yellow card. The goals came in order from Vanaken, Seys and Borges, with Club Brugge increasing its control as the second half progressed.

Lens tried to respond with substitutions, including changes at halftime and in the 58th minute, but Club Brugge kept the visitors from scoring. S. Baidoo entered at halftime for Lens, and F. Ivanovic and T. Hazard came on in the 58th minute. F. Lemarechal was booked for Club Brugge in the 62nd minute. Club Brugge made its first substitution in the 67th minute, and Lens made another change in the 70th minute when A. Haidara entered. The third goal effectively settled the match and gave Club Brugge a comfortable closing stretch. Lens’ M. Skoras was also booked in the 81st minute. Club Brugge made several late substitutions in the 82nd minute, while Lens made a final change in the 83rd minute when R. Aguilar entered. The match ended with Club Brugge in control and Lens unable to find a response.

Club Brugge also used its bench to manage the closing stages. J. Virgili entered in the 74th minute, and K. Sabbe, N. Tresoldi and C. Forbs came on in the 82nd minute. Vetlesen’s yellow card in the 80th minute was followed by Skoras’ booking for Lens. Club Brugge finished with a clean sheet and a three-goal margin, while Lens was left to rue the goal conceded in first-half stoppage time. The visitors had moments of possession but could not turn them into a scoring chance against a disciplined Club Brugge defense.

The result moved Club Brugge KV to 2 wins and 0 losses in this competition and 4 wins and 0 losses across all competitions. Lens (Fra) fell to 0 wins and 2 losses in this competition and 3 wins and 2 losses across all competitions. Club Brugge entered after wins over Sporting Lokeren, Inter and RAAL La Louviere, while Lens had won three of its previous four across all competitions before Wednesday. Lens had beaten Troyes, Lyon and St. Liege but lost to Sporting CP in that stretch. Lens next hosts Paris FC in Ligue 1.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Club Brugge KV 2, Lens (Fra) 1. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Club Brugge KV with a 98.8 percent probability to win. Club Brugge KV had been installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of -0.5. The total score of 3 went over the over/under line of 3.5.