Mendoza the hero for Brugge

An Andrés Mendoza hat-trick helped Club Brugge KV put their league disappointment behind them as they beat R. Excelsior Mouscron 3-1 in the Belgian Cup final today.

First trophy since 1998
The Peruvian striker's three goals brought Brugge their first silverware since 1998 after they finished the Jupiler League season in second place, two points behind champions KRC Genk. Their victory puts third-placed RSC Anderlecht directly into the UEFA Cup, with Excelsior now forced to qualify for the same competition through the preliminary rounds.

'Mendoza a key factor'
Brugge coach Trond Sollied said afterwards: "The game was exciting for both sides, Mouscron were good, but you just need that touch of luck. Of course, with three goals, Mendoza was certainly a key factor. He has a big future ahead of him if he takes care of himself."

Left-foot opener
Excelsior started the brighter but it was Brugge who struck first, on 21 minutes, when Gaetan Englebert's clever free-kick found Mendoza, who scored with a left-foot shot. Mendoza almost doubled the lead five minutes later when he crashed a shot against the post.

Blondel equalises
After the interval Mouscron rallied as Marcin Zewlakow went close with a free-kick, and they were further boosted by the arrival of 18-year-old substitute Jonathon Blondel. The youngster's pace enabled him to get on the end of Mbo Mpenza's cross to stab home the equaliser in the 58th minute.

Casto sent off
Mendoza was a constant threat at the other end, however, and after a couple of near misses, he was released by Tim Smolders to fire Brugge back in front after 72 minutes. With nine minutes remaining Mouscron were reduced to ten men when defender Marco Casto received his second yellow card and Mendoza claimed his hat-trick with a simple tap-in after Englebert had eluded the offside trap and played him in.