Excelsior clinches the classic with a last-minute goal

Dominance without clarity

Sparta Rotterdam controlled the ball for most of the match, boasting 56% possession, but failed to translate that advantage into goals. Despite taking 15 shots, with 5 on target, the visiting team found Excelsior well-organized, capitalizing on their chances.

The first half was balanced, but Excelsior took the lead thanks to a goal from Aymen Sliti in the 24th minute. Sparta responded quickly in the second half with a goal from Milan Zonneveld in the 48th minute, seemingly steering the match towards an inevitable draw.

Dramatic finish

As the match approached its conclusion, Nesto Groen emerged as the hero for Excelsior, scoring the winning goal in the 90+2 minute. This strike not only secured three points for his team but also generated an atmosphere of euphoria in the Stadion Woudestein, where fans celebrated a crucial victory in the fight to rise from mid-table.

The win allows Excelsior to accumulate 6 points in the Eredivisie, while Sparta Rotterdam remains at 4, in a match that clearly shows that while the visitors had the upper hand, goals are what truly matter.

A close rivalry

This match marked the 12th encounter between the two teams in the Eredivisie, with a balanced history: 5 victories for each side and 1 draw. The rivalry remains alive, and this match reaffirms that every encounter is a battle where the outcome can change in an instant.

Additionally, the standout player of the match was Milan Zonneveld, who shone with an impressive performance, earning a rating of 8.2, the same as Nesto Groen, but his efforts were not enough to prevent defeat.