Belgian First Division: Standard Liege 3 Mechelen 0

Standard Liege kept their European ambitions alive with a 3-0 win over Mechelen in the Belgian First Division on Saturday.

Dominique D’Onofrio’s men were four points behind Mechelen in fifth going into the match, needing a win to better their Europa League propositions, and the home side at Stade Maurice Dufrasne got the ideal start when Axel Witsel opened the scoring after four minutes.

Mbaye Laye doubled their lead in the 37th minute, and three minutes later Witsel had a brace as Liege cruised to a comfortable victory.

The loss for Mechelen meant they dropped to sixth spot on goal difference, but Marc Brys’ side remain level on points with the now-fifth Lokeren.