Eredivisie Round-Up: Feyenoord stay top as AZ, Twente secure crucial wins
It was an action-packed Sunday in the Eredivisie, with four matches producing late drama, standout goals and another twist in the title race. Feyenoord held off Utrecht in a five-goal thriller to stay top, while AZ Alkmaar bounced back from their midweek disappointment in Europe. Twente continued their solid start under John van den Brom, and Go Ahead Eagles snatched a late draw against NEC Nijmegen.
Here’s how it all unfolded:
Twente 2–1 Heracles: Van den Brom’s men make it three in a row
John van den Brom’s promising start at FC Twente continued as his side edged Heracles 2–1 at De Grolsch Veste. Twente dominated early on but were punished when Ivan Mesik rose highest to head Heracles into a surprise lead.
The hosts responded after the break. A well-worked corner found Max Bruns unmarked at the back post, and he tucked away the equaliser. Twente kept pressing, and their persistence paid off when Thomas van den Belt unleashed a superb long-range strike to make it 2–1.
Read also: PSV win Eredivisie Title after Ajax shocking late-season collapse
Despite going down to ten men after Bart van Rooij’s red card, Twente held firm to take all three points. The result moves them up to 7th place, while Heracles remain rooted to the bottom.
Feyenoord 3–2 Utrecht: Ueda strikes late to keep champions on top
Ayase Ueda was Feyenoord’s hero once again as the Japanese forward scored an 89th-minute winner to seal a dramatic 3–2 victory over Utrecht in Rotterdam. An exquisite pass from Oussama Targhalline set Ueda through for the opener in the 20th minute. Feyenoord wasted several chances to extend their lead before Gjivai Zechiel, on loan from the champions, punished them with a tidy equaliser early in the second half.
The hosts immediately responded through Sem Steijn, who finished off a slick move by Givairo Read to make it 2–1. But Feyenoord’s failure to finish off the contest nearly cost them, as Derry Murkin thundered home an equaliser for Utrecht with seven minutes left.
Read also: PSV Eindhoven sign Myron Boadu from AS Monaco
Just when it seemed points would be shared, Ueda popped up again — linking beautifully with Cyle Larin before slotting home the winner. The victory lifts Feyenoord back above PSV at the top of the Eredivisie table.
AZ Alkmaar 2–1 Telstar: Meerdink and Sin restore AZ’s momentum
After their disappointing Conference League defeat in midweek, AZ Alkmaar responded with a much-needed 2–1 win over Telstar.
Fresh off his first Netherlands national team call-up, Mexx Meerdink gave AZ the perfect start by converting from the penalty spot. Matej Sin then doubled the lead with a composed chip following a rebound, marking his first goal for the club.
Telstar refused to roll over. Tyrese Noslin pulled one back after the break and the visitors squandered several good chances to equalise. AZ’s attack looked nervy late on, but they held out — boosted by Troy Parrott’s return from injury. The win keeps AZ Alkmaar in fourth, while Telstar drop to 14th.
Go Ahead Eagles 1–1 NEC Nijmegen: Nauber rescues point in stoppage time
There was late drama in Deventer as Go Ahead Eagles grabbed a 90th-minute equaliser against 10-man NEC Nijmegen. Still buzzing from their Europa League triumph in Greece, the Eagles started brightly but found themselves behind after Koki Ogawa’s header deflected in off Jari De Busser.
The hosts hit the woodwork through Mathis Suray, while NEC had a goal ruled out for a foul before halftime. NEC’s Tjarron Chery almost wrapped it up with a curling effort that De Busser brilliantly tipped onto the post.
The turning point came when Philippe Sandler picked up two yellow cards in a minute, leaving NEC short-handed. Deep into stoppage time, Gerrit Nauber pounced to make it 1–1 — and the Eagles nearly stole it through Oscar Pettersson, whose shot hit the post. NEC sit 6th, while Go Ahead Eagles remain in 10th.
SportsLigue