Cercle Brugge 1-4 Wisła Kraków: The European farewell

Wisła Kraków faced Cercle Brugge in Belgium for their UEFA Conference League rematch after a heavy 1-6 first-leg defeat. Undeterred, Kraków delivered a courageous performance, winning 4-1 with goals from Alan Uryga, Tamas Kiss, Patryk Gogół, and Łukasz Zwoliński. Despite the victory, it wasn’t enough to overturn the aggregate score, ending their European campaign with pride and resilience.

A (un)certain start

The match kicked off with a balanced start, with the hosts making the first move in the 5th minute. Wisła Kraków threatened soon after, but Cercle’s defence was up to the task. In the 14th minute, Wisła had their first serious warning when Baena set up Duarte, but Warleson deflected the shot for a corner. Moments later, Alan Uryga opened the scoring to make it 1-0, and Wisła’s momentum grew. Rodado’s shot flew over the crossbar, and Tamas Kiss scored his debut goal to put Krakow up 2-0.

Wisła dominated the first half, restricting Cercle’s attacking efforts and creating multiple chances through Duarte, Kiss, and Baena. Cercle Brugge had their first real opportunity before the break, but Kamil Broda made a crucial save to deny Felipe Augusto’s dangerous attempt.

Fighting fate

Coach Kazimierz Moskal made changes at halftime, introducing Sukiennicki and Gogół to bolster the team. Determined to fight back, Cercle Brugge controlled the second half’s opening minutes, creating several dangerous chances. Wisła’s defence remained solid, with Kamil Broda and his backline repelling every attack. Cercle came close to narrowing the deficit in the 55th minute, but Wisła’s defence held strong.

Though Bruges dominated possession, Wisła struck again in the 73rd minute when Patryk Gogół calmly finished a one-on-one, making it 3-0. Cercle finally found the net in the 78th minute through Felipe Augusto, capitalising on a lapse in Wisła’s defence. Łukasz Zwoliński nearly scored with a strike that hit the crossbar but redeemed himself in injury time with a stylish backheel, sealing the 4-1 victory.

Despite Wisła Kraków’s convincing win, it wasn’t enough to overturn the aggregate score from the first leg, and they exited the competition with heads held high.

Cercle Brugge - Wisła Kraków (0:2):

• 0:1 Uryga 16’
• 0:2 Kiss 18’
• 0:3 Gogół 73’
• 1:3 Felipe Augusto 79’
• 1:4 Zwoliński 90+4’

Cercle Brugge: Warleson - Diakité (84’ Magnee), Lietaert, Popović, Miangue (46’ Nazinho) - Nunes (74’ van der Bruggen H), Bruninho (74’ Minda), Francis - Outtara, Brunner (46’ Denkey) - Augusto

Wisła Kraków: Broda - Jaroch, Uryga, Łasicki, Mikulec - Carbó (80’ Kutwa), Dziedzic (45’ Sukiennicki) - Baena (61’ Alfaro), Duarte (46’ Gogół), Kiss (73’ Zwoliński) - Rodado

Referee: H. Feşnic (ROU)

Yellow card(s): Francis - Pogorzała, Jaroch, Alfaro