01.08.2020 22:46 h

Antwerp win cup final as Belgian football resumes

Antwerp defeated Club Brugge 1-0 behind closed doors in the Belgian Cup final on Saturday, in the first competitive match in the country since March following the coronavirus pandemic.

Israeli midfielder Lior Refaelov scored the winning goal against his former club midway through the first half in Brussels as Antwerp lifted the trophy for the third time -- and first since 1992.

The 2019-20 Belgian league season was abandoned in May, with Brugge declared champions with 11 rounds of matches left unplayed.

The new season will begin next weekend, the Pro League announced Friday after weeks of controversy and legal action, with 18 teams instead of 16 taking part in the top division.

Matches will be played behind closed doors at least until the end of August.