Charleroi booked a place in the Belgian Cup semi-finals after delivering a statement victory over Champions League side Club Bruges, with Yacine Titraoui playing a decisive role in the win.
The Zebras seized control of the quarter-final early and never loosened their grip.
Charleroi named two Algerians, Kevin Guitoun and Yacine Titraoui, in the starting line-up and immediately showed intent against high-profile opposition.
Pressure from the home side forced the opening breakthrough in the 19th minute.
Charleroi won a penalty after a foul inside the box, and Parfait Guiagon stepped forward to convert with confidence, setting the tone for the rest of the contest.
Charleroi maintained tempo and discipline as Bruges struggled to impose their usual authority.
Titraoui anchored the midfield with authority, winning duels, breaking up play, and launching quick transitions that kept the visitors under constant strain.
The decisive moment arrived just before the interval. Titraoui collected possession and threaded a precise pass into the path of Guiagon, who unleashed a powerful strike that flew under the crossbar in added time at the end of the first half.
The goal doubled Charleroi’s advantage and rewarded their dominance.
After the break, Charleroi protected their lead with maturity and intelligence. The team closed spaces efficiently and limited Bruges to half-chances, while Titraoui continued to dictate rhythm in midfield.
His reading of the game and consistency on the ball drew attention once again, especially as debates continue over his absence from the Algerian national team.
The final whistle confirmed a deserved qualification and underlined Charleroi’s growing confidence in knockout competition.
Eliminating a club of Bruges’ stature strengthened belief within the squad and sent a clear message to the remaining contenders.
Charleroi will now face the winner of the tie between Dender and Union Royale Saint-Gilloise in the semi-finals.
That potential meeting carries added intrigue, with former Charleroi midfielder Adem Zorgane now part of the Union setup.
With momentum building and key players delivering on big occasions, Charleroi approach the final stages of the Belgian Cup with ambition and conviction, driven by performances like Titraoui’s on a night that reshaped their season.
