Brugge will have been eager to start 2026 in the best possible fashion, yet after losing in their Belgian Cup quarter-final clash with Royal Charleroi in their first game of the calendar year, they threw away a two-goal lead versus La Louvière at the weekend in the league.
Only four points from their opening six UCL league phase matches also left them on the brink of elimination, with a victory in Kazakhstan therefore paramount to maintaining any hopes of progression.
During the first half, they were clearly the better team, yet initially struggled to create any clear-cut opportunities.
Mamadou Diakhon, though, was a threat, and he almost broke the deadlock in the 18th minute when he cut inside and curled an effort onto the post.
Shortly after the half-hour mark, the visitors finally made their territory and possession count, although they were given a big helping hand by Kairat goalkeeper Temirlan Anarbekov.
Hugo Vetlesen’s free-kick seemed relatively comfortable to deal with, but the shot-stopper could only punch to Aleksandar Stankovic on the edge of the area, and the midfielder took advantage by firing into the back of the vacant net.
Brugge’s second was a better display of their ability, as Kyriani Sabbe’s clever chipped ball to the far post was headed back towards goal by Joaquin Seys, allowing captain Hans Vanaken to knee home from close range.
Before the break, Kairat offered very little going forward despite plenty of endeavour, and little changed after half-time.
While Diakhon had been his side’s danger man in the opening stages of the first period, Carlos Forbs took over that mantle, first forcing Anarbekov into an important stop before directing a first-time attempt over the crossbar from just inside the area.
Ultimately, Brugge rubber-stamped the victory with just over 15 minutes remaining as Diakhon’s cross was tapped into an empty net by Romeo Vermant, and Brandon Mechele completed the Brugge scoring with a free header late on.
The win is the Belgian outfit’s second of this year’s UCL, and a third over Marseille in their final league phase encounter will give them a chance of reaching the play-offs.
Kairat, meanwhile, did at least have something to cheer about in the last minute of injury time, as substitute Adilet Sadybekov produced a fantastic volley from just outside the area to net his side a consolation.
Nevertheless, they are now officially out of the competition, having failed to win any of their seven matches, losing six.
Their maiden participation in the UCL proper will have been a major learning curve, and they have a glamorous encounter with Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium to look forward to next week.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Mamadou Diakhon (Club Brugge)
