Belgian First Division: Club Brugge 3 Genk 0

Racing Genk’s Belgian First Division title hopes have suffered a setback after they were beaten 3-0 by Club Brugge on Tuesday.

The result means Genk missed a chance to move out to a six-point lead atop the Championship playoff table, opening the door for Standard Liege to claim top spot should they win at Lokeren on Wednesday.

After a scoreless first half, Croatian midfielder Ivan Perisic put Club Brugge in front just shy of the hour mark before Nigerian striker Joseph Akpala doubled the home team’s advantage 10 minutes later.

Genk pushed numbers forward in an attempt to get back into the game, but the contest was over with 12 minutes remaining when Akpala completed his brace to seal the victory.

The loss means Genk’s lead at the top of standings stays at three points, with just two games remaining.

Second-placed Standard Liege are just three points behind Genk, with a game in hand and a far healthier goal difference.