Week Six saw Feyenoord, Ajax and PSV had heavy wins at the weekend while NEC was shocked to a defeat. SC Cambuur and FC Utrecht picked up their first wins of the campaign writes Will Burns.

I have attached highlights from the clubs’ official YouTube channel where available so you can watch while you read along.

FRIDAY 11TH SEPTEMBER 2026

AZ ALKMAAR 1-1 WILLEM II

AZ dropped points for the first time this season after being held to a 1-1 draw by Willem II on Friday night. Despite controlling much of the match, Leeroy Echteld’s side were unable to turn their dominance into victory. Jordy Clasie marked his 350th Eredivisie appearance by opening the scoring before half-time, calmly finishing after excellent work from Calvin Stengs and Mexx Meerdink. Alkmaar could have extended their lead, but Stengs missed a golden opportunity before the half-time whistle.

The hosts continued to dictate proceedings after the restart and looked on course for another league win. However, Willem II capitalised on one of their few opportunities when Devin Haen finished coolly past Jari de Busser after being set up by Uriël van Aalst. AZ pushed for a late winner, with Jizz Hornkamp and Wesley Pattati both going close, but Willem II held firm to earn a valuable point.

AZ now switch their focus to Wednesday’s Europa League clash with Sunderland, while Willem II, who have collected just two points from five matches, face Ajax in a rescheduled fixture on Tuesday night as they continue their search for a first league win of the campaign.

SATURDAY 12TH SEPTEMBER 2026

FC TWENTE 2-0 ADO DEN HAAG

Saturday’s games began with FC Twente securing a comfortable victory over ADO Den Haag, but the score line only began to reflect their dominance after the break. The hosts started brightly at De Grolsch Veste and came close to an early opener when Sondre Ørjasæter struck the post. Twente continued to create chances throughout the first half, only to be frustrated by an inspired performance from ADO keeper Kilian Nikièma, who denied Wout Weghorst with an excellent save and kept the score level at the interval. ADO’s best chance fell to Jalen Hawkins, but he fired wide from a promising position.

The breakthrough finally arrived on the hour mark when Twente were awarded a penalty following a foul on Daouda Weidmann. After missing from the spot against Telstar earlier in the week, Weghorst made no mistake this time, confidently converting for his first home goal at De Grolsch Veste. The striker’s relief was evident as Twente took a deserved lead.

Veteran central defender Robin Pröpper wrapped up the victory with just over 15 minutes remaining, heading home from a corner after Nikièma had once again denied Weghorst. Twente continued to threaten in the closing stages but were unable to add a third. Head coach John van den Brom praised both his side’s performance and their development, highlighting the progress made in winning matches they may have dropped points in last season.

GO AHEAD EAGLES 1-1 FC GRONINGEN

Go Ahead Eagles rescued a dramatic late point with FC Groningen after dominating large spells of the contest at De Adelaarshorst. The hosts created the better chances from the outset, with Melle Meulensteen going close early on, while Groningen stopper Etienne Vaessen was repeatedly called into action. Despite offering little going forward, the visitors took the lead after 32 minutes when Brynjólfur Willumsson produced a fine finish against the run of play, for his fourth goal in six games.

The Eagles responded strongly and continued to push for an equaliser, but Vaessen proved difficult to beat, denying both Mathis Suray and Søren Tengstedt before the break. Groningen spent much of the second half pinned back in their own half, with Dick Lukkien’s side largely focused on protecting their advantage as Go Ahead kept applying pressure.

That pressure finally paid off eight minutes from time when the in-form Tengstedt thundered home a deserved equaliser – now five goals in six starts this season. Sensing an opportunity to complete the turnaround, Go Ahead pushed for a winner and came agonisingly close, only for Stefán Ingi Sigurdarson to miss a huge chance from close range. As a result, the points were shared, although Joseph Oosting’s side will feel they did enough to deserve all three.

FORTUNA SITTARD 1-5 AJAX

Ajax eventually pulled away to claim a convincing 5-1 victory over Fortuna Sittard on Saturday evening, as the hosts proved difficult to break down. Fortuna held firm for long periods and briefly restored parity in the second half, but Ajax’s quality told in the closing stages. Thilo Kehrer was one of the standout performers, marking his first start for the club with a goal and an assist.

They both enjoyed positive spells during the opening exchanges, but it was Ajax who gradually established control. After Steven Berghuis had gone close, Julian Brandt threatened repeatedly and eventually broke the deadlock. The German midfielder unleashed a powerful drive that flew beyond Mattijs Branderhorst to give Ajax a deserved lead. Fortuna’s response was limited, although Ole Romeny, back after suspension, did test Marc ter Stegen with a well-struck effort.

Ajax had an excellent opportunity to double their advantage shortly after the restart. Jorthy Mokio, preferred in midfield ahead of Davy Klaassen, found himself in space but dragged his shot wide. The youngster was included in the starting line-up following Sofyan Amrabat’s first start in midfield, while Kehrer was handed his debut start in defence in place of the injured Aaron Bouwman.

The match turned shortly afterwards. Fortuna found an equaliser when substitute Anthony Descotte benefited from a fortunate bounce before calmly slotting home to tied the game up, but Ajax responded impressively. Ten minutes after conceding, Tolu Arokodare struck the crossbar from close range, and Kehrer reacted quickest to convert the rebound and restore Ajax’s lead.

Kehrer continued to play a decisive role as Ajax took complete control. The defender nodded a Viktor Tsygankov cross back across goal, allowing Klaassen to finish for 3-1. With Fortuna’s resistance broken, Ajax added further gloss to the score line.

It’s a wonder Kasper Dolberg remembered what a goal celebration looked like when he netted his first Ajax goal since January 2026, before Youri Baas completed the rout with a late header to seal an emphatic 5-1 win.

SC CAMBUUR 3-0 NEC NIJMEGEN

NEC’s difficult run of form continued on Saturday evening as they suffered a shock 3-0 defeat away to SC Cambuur. The hosts were the better side throughout in Leeuwarden, securing only their first victory of the campaign while deepening NEC’s early-season frustrations.

Cambuur entered the contest with just a single point from their opening five league matches, but they showed far greater urgency from the outset, while NEC struggled to match the intensity of the home side. Cambuur created the first major opportunity after eleven minutes. Nicolas Binder found space in the box but failed to make proper contact with the ball when well placed to score.

The warning signs were there for Dick Schreuder’s men, yet Cambuur continued to find openings with ease. Their pressure was rewarded after 21 minutes when Ilyes Hamache arrived unmarked at the far post to tap home the opening goal. NEC were fortunate not to fall further behind before the break, with goalkeeper Gonzalo Crettaz recovering from a costly mistake and Devid Bouah sending two headed opportunities narrowly wide.

Cambuur resumed where they had left off after half-time. Bouah again threatened from a corner, but his effort was blocked, before Hamache struck for a second time in the 54th minute. Once more, NEC’s defence failed to deal with the danger, allowing the winger far too much freedom in the final third. The visitors never truly recovered. While NEC enjoyed more possession as they searched for a way back into the contest, clear-cut chances remained scarce. Any hopes of a late comeback were extinguished in the closing stages when Iwan Henstra added a third goal, completing a memorable evening for Cambuur and a miserable one for the visitors.

The defeat leaves NEC with little time to dwell on their performance, with a Europa League trip to Juventus  awaiting on Thursday. However, the frustration surrounding the result spilled over after full-time as captain Tjaronn Chery became involved in a heated exchange with a section of the travelling supporters and had to be restrained by teammates.

SUNDAY 13TH SEPTEMBER 2026

EXCELSIOR 1-2 FC UTRECHT

FC Utrecht finally got off the mark on Sunday afternoon, securing a dramatic victory away to Excelsior. The obviously relieved Anthony Correia, looked on as his side seemed to be frustrated after surrendering their lead late on, but a stoppage-time winner from captain Dani de Wit ensured he claimed their first league win.

The visitors made an energetic start almost finding the breakthrough within the opening minute. Adrian Blake struck the post, while Ángel Alarcón was denied by an alert Stijn van Gassel, who produced several important saves throughout the afternoon. Excelsior also threatened, with Aymen Sliti forcing Vasilios Barkas into action at the other end.

Despite the lively opening stages, clear chances became scarce until Utrecht broke the deadlock nine minutes before half-time. Arthur Zagré surged down the left flank and picked out 19-year-old Artem Stepanov, who finished confidently to score his fifth goal of the season, giving the visitors a deserved lead.

Excelsior emerged into the second half with a renewed purpose and pushed for an equaliser. Sliti continued to cause problems, while Utrecht looked to freshen things up with the introductions of Yoann Cathline, Sem van Duijn and Marius Broholm. The pressure eventually paid off in the 77th minute when Sliti finally beat Barkas to level the score. The equaliser appeared likely to earn Excelsior a valuable point, but Utrecht had other ideas.

As the match entered its closing moments, Dani de Wit snatched on hesitant defending from Excelsior and produced a composed chipped finish over Van Gassel to restore Utrecht’s lead. The late strike proved decisive, sealing a hard-fought win.

SC HEERENVEEN 0-0 TELSTAR

Heerenveen were held to a frustrating goalless draw by Telstar, despite creating the better opportunities throughout. Striker Dylan Vente twice went close before the break, while Heerenveen winger Maxence Rivera also tested Ronald Koeman Jr., but neither side could find the breakthrough in an evenly contested first half.

In the second half, Telstar had a renewed intent and threatened through Nökkvi Thórisson. However, Heerenveen soon regained control and pushed for a winner. Rivera, Vente and the hosts’ attacking unit continued to ask questions, only for Koeman to produce several important saves to preserve a clean sheet. Despite late pressure from the home side, Telstar held firm to secure a point, leaving the visitors on five points from six matches and Heerenveen on six.

PEC ZWOLLE 0-7 FEYENOORD

PEC Zwolle, suffered their heaviest home loss in their Eredivisie history as Feyenoord produced a ruthless display, winning 7-0 and coming within a single goal of matching the club’s biggest-ever away league victory. Fresh from their heavy Champions League 5-1 defeat to Barcelona, the Rotterdammers responded in good fashion, completely overwhelming a PEC team that offered little resistance throughout the contest.

The visitors signalled their intent early, with Givairo Read striking both posts inside the opening minutes. Feyenoord’s dominance was eventually rewarded before the break, as Nacho Ferri played a key role in a three-goal first half. PEC defender Simon Graves was credited with the opener after deflecting Ferri’s effort into the net, before the Spaniard added a second from a Read assist. Gjivai Zechiël then made it 3-0 shortly before half-time as Feyenoord turned their superiority into a commanding lead.

There was no let-up after the interval as Ferri completed his brace to make it 4-0, while Feyenoord continued to carve open the Zwolle defence with ease. Anis Hadj Moussa added a fifth, and substitute Jivayno Zinhagel marked his first-team breakthrough with a goal for 6-0, again created by the influential Read, who finished with three assists.

Hadj Moussa capped the afternoon with a brilliant solo effort to complete the 7-0 score line as PEC’s supporters voiced their frustration from the stands. The result left Feyenoord one goal shy of equalling their biggest-ever league victory, 8-0 against Fortuna ’54 (1959) and matched against Volendam (1963).

PSV 4-1 SPARTA ROTTERDAM

PSV came from behind to secure a convincing 4-1 victory over Sparta Rotterdam, with Sven Mijnans starring at the Philips Stadion with a superb hat-trick. The reigning champions recovered from an early setback to maintain their strong start to the season and move to the top of the table on goal difference.

The visitors stunned PSV after 15 minutes when Milan Zonneveld capitalised on a costly error from goalkeeper Matej Kovar. A chipped pass over the defence appeared harmless, but Kovar completely missed his attempted clearance, leaving Zonneveld with the easiest finish of his life. Peter Bosz’s side responded positively and were back on level terms eight minutes later as Esmir Bajraktarevic delivered an inviting cross that Mijnans headed beyond Michael Brouwer.

Their dominance began to show before the break when summer signing Kodai Sano, making his mark after his recent Champions League debut, scored his first goal for the club in spectacular fashion. The Japanese midfielder unleashed a powerful low drive from around 25 metres that slipped underneath Brouwer and into the net, completing the turnaround just before the break.

The hosts never looked back after the interval. Mijnans grabbed his second goal of the evening to extend PSV’s lead before completing his hat-trick in style with a brilliant curling effort from the edge of the area. PSV controlled proceedings throughout, finishing with the vast majority of possession and chances, as Bosz’s men cruised to a 4-1 victory and returned to the summit of the Eredivisie standings.

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TotalDutchFootball.com

Three, well two and a half, matches took place this week as the Eredivisie was catching up with the teams that were postponed in Week 3 due to European qualifying commitments. Will Burns is helping you catch up.

I have attached highlights from the clubs’ official YouTube channel where available so you can watch while you read along.

TUESDAY 8TH SEPTEMBER 2026

FC UTRECHT 3-3 GO AHEAD EAGLES

Utrecht were trailing 3-1 after their match last Saturday was suspended due to fan protests involving fireworks and cups on the pitch, but they staged a dramatic comeback during Tuesday’s 30-minute resumption behind closed doors.

Matisse Didden sparked the rally with a header in the 76th minute from a Davy van den Berg corner. Late in the match, Adrian Blake drew a clumsy foul from Alfons Sampsted, resulting in an 89th-minute penalty. Bayer Leverkusen loanee Artem Stepanov converted the spot-kick past goalkeeper Kjetil Haug to seal a thrilling 3-3 draw.

The hard-fought point marks FC Utrecht’s first at home this season, lifting Anthony Correia’s side out of the relegation zone. Meanwhile, Go Ahead Eagles moved up to sixth place in the standings, positioning themselves ahead of teams like Ajax, Twente, and Groningen.

NEC NIJMEGEN 2-2 EXCELSIOR

NEC salvaged a dramatic 2-2 draw against the exciting Excelsior, denying the visitors a historic start to the season. Making eight changes, NEC capitalised early when starting debutant Adam Tahaui fired home the opening goal in the tenth minute. Excelsior responded before half time, as the impressive Georgian midfielder Irakli Yegoian set up David Garden to level the score at 1-1.

The second half featured end-to-end action, with chances falling to both sides before debutant Valentin Sulzbacher put Excelsior ahead 2-1 with his very first touch after coming on from Red Bull Salzburg. Though NEC pressed for an equalizer, including a close-range header wide from Dusan Tadic, they finally broke through during injury time.

Noé Lebreton popped up in the right place to fire home the 2-2 equalizer, dealing a heavy blow to Ruben den Uil’s side, who missed out on a potential third-place leap in the standings.

WEDNESDAY 9TH SEPTEMBER 2026

FC TWENTE 1-0 SC TELSTAR

Twente narrowly secured a 1-0 victory over Telstar on Wednesday evening, with John van den Brom’s side dominating chances but struggling with their accuracy in front of goal. The Twente head coach made several tactical adjustments, including starting Aske Adelgaard at left-back and giving Dusan Rots’ usual spot up front to other options while bringing on Robin Pröpper later in the game.

Despite facing a Telstar team featuring goalkeeper Ronald Koeman Jr., who recently made Eredivisie history, Twente kept up the pressure. After early chances and a powerful shot against the post by Younes Taha, the breakthrough finally arrived three-quarters of the way through the match. Taha provided an excellent cross from the right, allowing Sondre Ørjasaeter to score his first goal of the season with a brilliant falling shot over Koeman Jr.

Although Wout Weghorst had a late opportunity to double the lead from a penalty after being fouled in the box, his spot-kick was saved by last week’s hero Koeman Jr. Nevertheless, the lone goal proved sufficient for the Tukkers to take all three points ahead of their upcoming home match against ADO Den Haag.

Please gamble responsibly. BeGambleAware.org

TotalDutchFootball.com

Crazy. Just another weekend in the Eredivisie. We have a huge PSV-Ajax match which ended in controversy. We have yet another match abandonment due to crowd trouble. And we have a goalkeeper that scores twice in a match.

Yes, this is the Eredivisie – Week Five writes Will Burns.

I have attached highlights from the clubs’ official YouTube channel where available so you can watch while you read along.

FRIDAY 4TH SEPTEMBER 2026

SPARTA ROTTERDAM 2-2 PEC ZWOLLE

Isaac Babadi came close to producing a dream debut for Sparta, as the PSV loanee scored with his very first touches, seemingly setting the Kasteelheren on course for a 2–1 home win over PEC Zwolle. But ten minutes before full-time, Koen Kostons struck the equaliser, denying the hosts all three points.

Sparta began with new centre midfielder Cedric Hatenboer in the starting XI, giving the arrival from Anderlecht an immediate chance to prove himself, with new goalkeeper Michael Brouwer also featuring from the start. For Zwolle, Ibrahima Cissoko was preferred on the left-wing, while Sydney van Hooijdonk began on the bench.

PEC opened the scoring just past the twenty‑minute mark with a razor‑sharp counter-attack. Dylan Mbayo released Cissoko, who finished confidently. Their advantage didn’t last long though as Milan Zonneveld rose highest from a Julian Baas corner and headed in his third goal of the season to tie the game up.

At half-time, Sparta coach Rogier Meijer made adjustments, withdrawing Casper Terho and introducing Babadi, and the PSV man had an instant impact. After receiving a pass from Zonneveld, he controlled the ball neatly and stayed composed in his one‑on‑one with Jasper Schendelaar, putting Sparta 2–1 ahead with his first involvement.

PEC responded by pushing for an equaliser, with Van Hooijdonk making his debut as part of the attacking changes. Their persistence paid off when Kostons found the net ten minutes from time, securing a 2–2 draw and ensuring both sides took a point from the encounter at Het Kasteel.

SATURDAY 5TH SEPTEMBER 2026

NEC NIJMEGEN 1-3 FEYENOORD

Feyenoord responded well to last weekend’s frustrating draw against ADO, earning a 3–1 victory over NEC in Nijmegen on Saturday afternoon. All four goals came after the break, following a flat and uneventful first half. Despite their mixed performances, Feyenoord now sit third in the table with 11 points from five matches. Remarkably, nine of those points have come away from home, as the Rotterdammers are still waiting for their first win at De Kuip this season.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst had to do without Anis Hadj Moussa, who was left out of the squad for disciplinary reasons after arriving late twice, including to a team meeting. Reports have linked the Algerian winger with interest from Al‑Ittihad, but Van Bronckhorst has made clear that Feyenoord are not planning to sell him at this stage.

Nacho Ferri started up front following Ayase Ueda’s transfer to Lille and the visitors controlled the first half but created only one real chance, when Mika Mármol fired into the side netting after 15 minutes. The match came to life after the interval. Almugera Kabar misjudged a ball in his own half, allowing Gijvai Zechiël to score at the far post from Ferri’s assist, his fourth of the campaign.

NEC hit back almost immediately through Darko Nejasmic, who produced a superb left‑footed strike from outside the box to level the score. Feyenoord regained the lead just after the hour mark when Zechiël exploited the huge gaps in NEC’s defence and set up Luciano Valente for 2–1. Late on, debutant Jerayno Schaken sealed the win, with Zechiël again with the assist, making it 3–1 and securing Feyenoord’s third away victory of the season.

AJAX 1-3 PSV

Ajax will be without Aaron Bouwman for the entire month of September, the club confirmed the day after their 3-1 defeat to PSV. The nineteen‑year‑old defender suffered bruising to his sternum and a bruised lung, from the clattering he received from Ruben van Bommel and remains in hospital for observation. The incident has sparked widespread anger among Ajax supporters.

Van Bommel’s surge into the defender became one of the major talking points after the match. Head of refereeing Raymond van Meenen stated that the PSV winger should have been shown a red card rather than the yellow he received.  The injury overshadowed what had been a high‑profile Eredivisie clash.

Ajax entered the match in good spirits after a successful transfer window, although several new signings were not yet ready to start. Jorthy Mokio began in midfield, while PSV welcomed Lutsharel Geertruida into the starting line-up for the first time this season and they struck early. Armando Obispo’s precise pass allowed Ivan Perišić to deliver a superb cross, which Ruben van Bommel headed back for Ricardo Pepi to finish from close range inside five minutes.

The Amsterdammers recovered after a difficult opening spell and created several chances, with Tolu Arokodare proving an effective focal point. His persistence paid off when he scored while off balance during a scramble in the box. Steven Berghuis then had an excellent opportunity to make it 2–1, but PSV regained the lead just before half‑time. A loose ball from a corner fell to Geertruida, who volleyed into the far corner to take the lead into the break.

The second half remained open, with chances for both sides. Julian Brandt fired over, while PSV continued to threaten. Ajax manager Míchel Sánchez introduced Marcos Leonardo, Sofyan Amrabat, Kasper Dolberg and Viktor Tsygankov in search of a breakthrough, but the equaliser never came.

In the 78th minute, the match descended into chaos. Van Bommel went in aggressively during an aerial duel, injuring Bouwman and triggering a scuffle. This force Ajax into a fifth substitution. Thilo Kehrer made his debut, while Abdellah Ouazane had already come on earlier. The incident caused a five‑minute delay, compounded by another confrontation near the benches involving Owen Wijndal and Geertruida.

Ajax were given seven minutes of added time but could not find a way back. Instead, PSV sealed the win through Esmir Bajraktarević, who struck late to make it 3-1 and secure all three points for the Eindhoven side. The bad blood between the sides has only intensified after this match and the Van Bommel incident.

WILLEM II 0-3 EXCELSIOR

Excelsior claimed a convincing victory over Willem II, leaving the Tilburg side still searching for their first league win. For the Rotterdam club, it marked their third victory of the season and they took the lead early on. Irakli Yegoian delivered a precise cross that David Garden tapped in with ease. The Tilburg side nearly equalised moments later when Devin Haen found himself in a good position after strong work from Eric da Silva Moreira, but he failed to convert. After fifteen minutes, Yegoian almost caught goalkeeper Maxime Delanghe off guard, though the Belgian reacted just in time.

Chances remained limited until Rick Meissen doubled the lead from a corner, heading in confidently. Excelsior continued to dominate but couldn’t find a third goal before the break, sending both teams into half time with a 2-0 scoreline.

Willem II pushed forward after the interval in search of a lifeline. Uriel van Aalst came close with a header from a corner in the 57th minute, but his effort drifted just wide. Garden later tried his luck from long range, though his attempt also missed the target.

In the 68th minute, Willem II appealed for a penalty, but both the referee and VAR dismissed the claim. Manchester United loanee Chidozie Obi made his debut late on, yet he was unable to influence the match. In the closing stages, Yegoian struck again to seal the win.

Excelsior’s strong start continues under Ruben den Uil, with three wins from four matches. Willem II, newly promoted this season, remain winless and still waiting for their first victory.

FC UTRECHT A-A GO AHEAD EAGLES

(1-3 at the time of the match stoppage)

The match between FC Utrecht and Go Ahead Eagles was abandoned after just under an hour when fireworks were thrown onto the pitch. Moments earlier, white protest cloths had appeared in the stands. Utrecht were trailing by three goals at the time, and most supporters reacted angrily to the incident. Referee Martin van den Kerkhof halted the match immediately.

Tensions had already been rising throughout the week. Several protest banners had been displayed at Stadion Galgenwaard, with many hardcore supporters directing their frustration at technical director Jordy Zuidam. During the stoppage, analyst Mario Been voiced his disapproval live on ESPN, calling the behaviour “ridiculous” and stressing that it helped the club in no way.

This was not the first fireworks‑related incident of the season. On 23rd August, the SC Cambuur-Feyenoord match had been temporarily stopped after fireworks were thrown from the away section, injuring seven Cambuur supporters.

Go Ahead Eagles took the lead after 18 minutes when Viktor Edvardsen slipped in Mathis Suray, who blasted home from outside the area. Utrecht stopper Vasilis Barkas just looked on in disbelief. Early in the second half, just four minutes after the restart, Søren Tengstedt doubled the advantage with his fourth goal of the season. The Danish winger is in a rich vein of form. He had scored only four goals in 41 league matches for the Eagles prior to this campaign.

Just before the hour mark, Edvardsen got on the scoresheet himself receiving a perfect ball from Tengstedt for his third goal of the campaign. Then the trouble in the stands started. After around fifteen minutes, the match resumed, accompanied by a stern announcement over the stadium speakers.

However, the game was abandoned again shortly after the restart. Dani de Wit had scored to make it 3-1 moments and then cups were thrown onto the pitch just three minutes into play, prompting a second stoppage. With repeated misconduct from the stands, the match was permanently halted after 64 minutes.

Utrecht issued a strong statement condemning the behaviour, calling the evening’s events “terrible” and emphasising that throwing fireworks endangered players, staff, and supporters. General Manager Edo Keuning stressed that such actions had nothing to do with supporting the club and highlighted that thousands of fans had behaved properly. Utrecht will review camera footage to identify those responsible and take appropriate measures. The remainder of the match will be played on Tuesday, 8th September at 14:00, following consultation with the municipality of Utrecht, it has been announced that the match will resume behind closed doors from the exact moment it was suspended.

SUNDAY 6TH SEPTEMBER 2026

FC GRONINGEN 2-2 FC TWENTE

Groningen and Twente played out a 2–2 draw on Sunday afternoon, with all four goals arriving in a lively first half. Wout Weghorst rescued a point for John van den Brom’s side just before the interval, and after the break the match lost much of its earlier intensity.

The clash at the Euroborg began at a frantic pace as the big man Weghorst missed a big early chance but made amends in the sixth minute, passing to Marko Pjaca, who finished well to give Twente the lead. Groningen hit back quickly with a slice of fortune. Younes Taha squandered a huge one‑on‑one opportunity against Etiënne Vaessen, and from that resulting counter‑attack Thom van Bergen scored his third goal of the season to level the match.

Ten minutes later, Groningen completed the turnaround when Tygo Land struck to make it 2–1. The PSV loanee hit a right footed effort from outside the area, which hit Robin Propper and wrong footed goalkeeper Lars Unnerstall into the goal. But just before half‑time, Twente equalised again. Taha was given far too much space to deliver a cross, and Weghorst finished from close range to bring the score level.

The second half produced a handful of half‑chances but never matched the excitement of the opening 45 minutes. Weghorst came close to converting a fine cross from Bart van Rooij and briefly clashed with Vaessen after a dangerous moment in the box. Groningen nearly snatched a winner when a deflected effort from Tika de Jonge almost looped into the net. The draw leaves both Groningen and Twente on seven points, though Twente have played one match fewer.

SC TELSTAR 2-2 SC CAMBUUR

Wonderful scenes unfolded at Velsen‑Zuid on Sunday.

While trailing 2-0, Telstar were awarded a penalty, and just as on the final day of last season, goalkeeper Ronald Koeman Jr. stepped forward. With the crowd chanting for their cult hero, Koeman calmly placed the ball and slotted it low into the corner.

Koeman Jr. had already proven his nerve from the spot last year, scoring the decisive penalty away at FC Volendam that kept Telstar in the Eredivisie. On Sunday, the supporters immediately called for him again, and “the specialist,” as ESPN commentator Martijn van Zijtveld dubbed him, did not disappoint. He beat Thijs Janssen with ease, remaining ice‑cold despite the growing legend around him.

What followed next was historic.

Koeman Jr. converted not one but two penalties, becoming the first goalkeeper ever to score twice in a single Dutch top‑flight match. His goals dragged Telstar back from a seemingly hopeless position and earned The White Lions a dramatic late point.

Telstar had been reduced to ten men in the 22nd minute when Nokkvi Thorisson was shown a straight red card by referee Joey Kooij, for high challenge on Cambuur defender Billy van Duijl. However, Telstar didn’t find an opening until the 53th minute, when Rafik El Arguioui notched his fourth goal of the season. Seven minutes later it was 2-0 when Nicolas Binder shot straight inside the left post.

Then two spot‑kicks changed everything. Just three minutes after Cambuur went 2-0 up, Koeman buried the first, after Van Duijl condeded a penalty. Kooij, who had awarded four penalties last week in the PEC Zwolle-NEC game, gave Telstar a spot kick in the 90th minute but VAR reversed the decision. Then ten minutes into stoppage time, Mathieu Maertens was deemed to handball in the area and Kooij pointed to the spot again. The crowd popped as Koeman jogged up the field to step up again in the 101st minute under immense pressure. With Telstar desperate for an equaliser, he kept his composure and scored, completing an extraordinary night.

After the match, Koeman Jr. spoke with ESPN: “I’m at the top of the list, you saw that,” he said. “I can take a good penalty and I have confidence, so no doubt.” He admitted he took a moment before the second kick as Cambuur players tried to unsettle him. “They start talking to you, but you won’t get me worked up. Just take a moment for yourself and focus.”

There was even a moment of confusion before VAR intervened, with Telstar initially thinking they might receive a free kick instead of a second penalty. Koeman laughed: “I thought maybe I’d take the free kick too. But everyone already said it was on target.”. He placed both penalties in the same corner. “Maybe I should change that,” he joked. “But if it’s hard, they can’t reach it.”

SC HEERENVEEN 2-3 AZ ALKMAAR

Leeroy Echteld’s substitutions proved decisive as AZ defeated Heerenveen on Sunday afternoon. Ayoub Oufkir, brought on in the 82nd minute, needed barely half a minute to score the winning goal. Earlier, Mexx Meerdink had already produced a stunning equaliser.

The first half at the Abe Lenstra Stadium was lively and evenly matched. Ro‑Zangelo Daal put AZ ahead in just the seventh minute, but Heerenveen responded impressively. Nolhan Courtens levelled the score, and Ringo Meerveld completed the turnaround half an hour in, giving Robin Veldman’s side a 2–1 lead at the break.

AZ had to wait until the 69th minute to find an equaliser — and it was worth the wait. Debutant Valdemar Byskov slipped the ball to Meerdink, who curled a superb left‑footed strike into the far corner to make it 2–2. The visitors then struck again in dramatic fashion. Echteld introduced Oufkir in the 82nd minute, and seconds later Meerdink released him through on goal. One‑on‑one with Bernt Klaverboer, Oufkir stayed ice‑cold and slotted home.

Heerenveen pushed hard in the dying moments and created two big chances, but AZ goalkeeper Jari de Busser survived both scares. With the win, AZ have now won five in five, move to 15 points and leapfrogged PSV back into first place, while Heerenveen remain on five points.

ADO DEN HAAG 2-3 FORTUNA SITTARD

The surprise package so far, Fortuna Sittard, claimed another victory in the final game of the weekend in Den Haag. Fortuna built on a comfortable lead before half‑time and extending it again after the break. Mohamed Ihattaren was the star of the match, producing two goals and an assist as Fortuna controlled the decisive moments.

ADO saw plenty of the ball early on but struggled to create any real danger. Fortuna stayed compact and struck after just under half an hour, when Ihattaren’s shot took a deflection and wrong‑footed goalkeeper Kilian Nikiema for 1-0. Five minutes later, Ihattaren delivered a perfect cross that Lequincio Zeefuik headed in, doubling the lead and putting Fortuna firmly in control.

Forced to chase the game after the interval, ADO finally found a breakthrough in the 59th minute. Evan Rottier’s sharp move ended with Yannick Eduardo, who finished to claw a goal back, but ADO’s hope was short‑lived. Ihattaren soon cut inside into space and unleashed a powerful strike that Nikiema could not stop, restoring Fortuna’s two‑goal cushion.

ADO pushed hard in the closing stages and came close when Illaijh de Ruijter’s shot struck the post after a swift counter‑attack. Moments later, they did pull one back: Jesse Bal met a cross with a well‑placed header, reducing the deficit to 2–3 and briefly reigniting belief in a late comeback. Despite ADO’s pressure, Fortuna held their ground in the final minutes. The equaliser never arrived, and the Limburgers left The Hague with all three points.

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With European qualifiers wrapped up, all Eredivisie sides returned to action for another goal‑filled weekend. PSV and Ajax look sharp and firing, while AZ remain top after collecting maximum points once again. Over in Rotterdam, Feyenoord stumbled, suffering a setback that dents their early title hopes writes Will Burns.

I have attached highlights from the clubs’ official YouTube channel where available so you can watch while you read along.

FRIDAY 28TH AUGUST 2026

FC GRONINGEN 2-3 FORTUNA SITTARD

Fortuna Sittard claimed their second win of the season with a 3–2 victory away in Groningen. Mohamed Ihattaren opened the scoring early after good work from Lequincio Zeefuik, though the hosts hit back through David van der Werff. The best moment of the match came when Zeefuik was sent through by Édouard Michut and cleverly chipped Etiënne Vaessen to make it 2–1. After Groningen made attacking changes, Anthony Descotte struck hard and low for 3-1, giving Fortuna a cushion.

Groningen pushed late and thought they had earned a penalty, but VAR ruled it offside. A Justin Hubner own goal in the 87th minute briefly raised tension, yet Fortuna held firm. Groningen, who were thrashed 5–1 by PSV last week, stay on six points from four matches, while Fortuna move to a surprising seven points at this stage.

SATURDAY 29TH AUGUST 2026

EXCELSIOR 2-1 SPARTA ROTTERDAM

Excelsior won the Rotterdam derby with a 2–1 victory over Sparta, dramatically sealed deep into injury time. Both sides were missing key midfielders, but Excelsior’s new loanees Aymen Sliti and Agust Orri Thorsteinsson made their mark early. Sliti opened the scoring after 24 minutes with a fierce strike from a corner, rewarding Excelsior’s strong start. Sparta improved before the break and equalised soon after halftime when Milan Zonneveld finished off a move sparked by a slip from Rick Meissen.

The match then swung back and forth, with Excelsior regaining control after tactical changes from coach Ruben den Uil. Sparta nearly conceded through an own goal from Bruno Martins Indi, but the decisive moment came in stoppage time. Nesto Groen rose highest from a corner and headed in the winner, sending the home crowd into celebration just before the final whistle.

AZ ALKMAAR 5-2 GO AHEAD EAGLES

AZ kept their perfect start intact with a big 5–2 win over Go Ahead Eagles, extending their run to four straight victories. Dave Kwakman opened the scoring with a crisp volley, the midfielder’s first for the club, before Victor Edvardsen equalised after capitalising on a rebound. Ro‑Zangelo Daal restored AZ’s lead before the break, and after half-time Lewis Schouten and Mateo Chávez pushed the score to 4–1, with Chávez smashing in via the crossbar.

Daal curled in his second late on, and Go Ahead grabbed a consolation through Mathis Suray after a chaotic rebound off the post. With twelve points and a +10 goal difference, AZ sit comfortably top of the table while Go Ahead remain on seven points from four games.

PEC ZWOLLE 1-3 NEC NIJMEGEN

NEC beat PEC Zwolle 3–1 in a chaotic contest that featured four penalties and two disallowed PEC goals. Tjaronn Chery converted two early spot‑kicks to put NEC in control, while Koen Kostons levelled from the third penalty just before half‑time. PEC thought they had equalised again after the break, but another offside call denied them. Their best chance to turn the match came with the fourth penalty of the night, yet Kostons smashed it against the crossbar.

With NEC under pressure, Dick Schreuder sent on Perr Schuurs for his first appearance in almost three years due to a series of injuries. The moment turned magical just seven minutes from time, the defender headed home to make it 3-1, he celebrated emotionally as his family watched on. It was the standout moment of a wild evening in Zwolle.

SUNDAY 30TH AUGUST 2026

FC UTRECHT 1-6 PSV

Utrecht coach Anthony Correia admitted he felt ashamed after his side’s heavy 6–1 defeat to PSV. The hosts had taken an early lead, but PSV responded with six goals and completely overran them. Correia said he wants to move onto the next game after this defeat, but captain Dani de Wit’s blunt post‑match comments, saying he felt “ashamed”, reflected the mood inside the squad.

Correia did agree with his captain’s assessment. He felt Utrecht started aggressively and held PSV reasonably well until just before half‑time, when conceding the 2–1 goal became a “mental killer.” Early in the second half, things worsened when Niklas Vesterlund went off injured, and Utrecht collapsed entirely. Correia stressed that the team’s lack of resilience in the final stages must be addressed.

With only one point from four matches, Utrecht’s situation is already worrying. Correia acknowledged the pressure but insisted the team must reset quickly. “I’m ashamed, but tomorrow is another day,” he said. “It’s far from perfect, and we have to do better. Letting it slip like that shows a lack of mental strength. These are hard lessons.”

At 2-1, PSV showed no mercy. After Stepanov’s opener, Ruben van Bommel equalised with a stunning strike. Guus Til put PSV ahead before the break, and in the second half the champions dominated completely. Mauro Junior’s free‑kick made it 3–1, substitute Sven Mijnans, who replace a underperforming Ricardo Pepi deep into the second half, added a long‑range goal after missing a penalty, Til scored again, and Sergiño Dest finished the rout with PSV’s sixth.

Utrecht remain winless and now turn their attention to next weekend’s game with Go Ahead Eagles while PSV, revitalised after back‑to‑back big wins, head into a high‑profile clash with rivals Ajax in Amsterdam.

FEYENOORD 2-2 ADO DEN HAAG

Feyenoord dropped points for the second time this season after a 2–2 draw at home against promoted ADO Den Haag. Giovanni van Bronckhorst had to adjust his line-up late when Jeremiah St. Juste withdrew during the warm‑up, bringing Javi López into the elevne and shifting Mika Mármol centrally. Despite a lively start from Gaoussou Diarra, De Kuip fell silent after twelve minutes when Oussama Targhalline lost the ball cheaply and Nigel Thomas punished the mistake with ADO’s first real chance.

The Rotterdammers pushed hard for an equaliser but struggled to break down ADO’s compact defence. The outgoing striker Ayase Ueda, who is set to seal a move to Lille, was denied in a one‑on‑one by goalkeeper Kilian Nikiema, who also saved well from Gjivai Zechiël. The visitors defended their lead with determination and reached half‑time still in front, leaving Feyenoord frustrated and chasing the game.

The second half began with immediate danger from Feyenoord as Sem Steijn hit the post from a Ueda pass. But instead of tying the game up, ADO doubled their lead when Sekou Sylla surprised Tjark Ernst with a low strike from the edge of the box. De Kuip was in an uproar and Feyenoord suddenly faced a serious problem but Ueda pulled one back shortly after the hour mark, getting his first goal of the season.

The hosts increased the pressure and pushed ADO deeper, yet the visitors remained threatening on the counter. Illaijh de Ruijter wasted a huge chance to make it 3-1, and moments later Anis Hadj Moussa struck the post. The Algerian made amends minutes after, cutting inside and firing in the 2–2 equaliser to ignite the stadium. A fierce late storm followed, with Feyenoord throwing everything forward in search of a winner but ADO defended bravely and rode their luck at times, ultimately holding on for a valuable point and their first result of the season.

Luciano Valente claimed he was disappointed with the result, speaking to ESPN after the game: “This one hits hard. This shouldn’t happen to us. I think they had two shots on target and they went straight in. Then it just becomes a very difficult match, but we brought that upon ourselves.”

“I don’t know if it’s a coincidence, but it just shouldn’t happen” continued the Feyenoord captain. “We need to work on that, because it shouldn’t happen here in De Kuip, and it shouldn’t happen away either.”

WILLEM II 2-2 SC HEERENVEEN

Willem II and Heerenveen shared points after a lively match that swung back and forth on Sunday afternoon. The first half produced chances for both sides, with the home side threatening through Uriel van Aalst, Devin Haen and Jaden Slory, while Heerenveen struggled to create clear openings. A strong tackle from Oliver Braude prevented a late Willem II goal, leaving the score goal less at the break.

In the second half, Willem II struck first when Van Aalst finished from close range after a cross from Nathan Tjoe-A-On on the hour mark. Heerenveen responded quickly through Jacob Trenskow three minutes later, and Braude then put the visitors 1–2 ahead in the 77th minute, despite protests from Willem II, who felt Haen had been fouled in the build‑up.

Haen soon made amends, racing through on goal and firing in the equaliser. Neither side could find a winner in the closing stages, with Willem II collecting their first point of the season, while Heerenveen move to five points.

SC TELSTAR 0-4 AJAX

Ajax supporters were treated to another standout performance from Tolu Arokodare, who smashed in a long‑range goal against Telstar and dominated the conversation online. The man on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers, delivered a thunderous strike made it 3-0 and cemented his status as a fan favourite, with many calling him an upgraded version of Brian Brobbey. The Amsterdammers ultimately cruised to a 4–0 win in Velsen‑Zuid after a strong second‑half surge.

Ajax coach Michel Sánchez rotated lightly, keeping Youri Baas on the bench amid FC Porto interest and handing Dies Janse his first league start since 2024. Oscar Gloukh played on the left, while new signings Viktor Tsygankov and Sofyan Amrabat were not involved. The first half was quiet until Davy Klaassen tapped in his 40th opening goal for Ajax then Telstar threatened through Gerald Alders, and Julian Brandt had a goal ruled out for offside.

After the break, Ajax took full control. Steven Berghuis doubled the lead with a sharp finish, Arokodare blasted in the third after capitalising on a Ronald Koeman Jr. error, and Marcos Leonardo added a fourth from a rebound. The comfortable victory keeps Ajax unbeaten and gives them momentum heading into a crucial showdown with PSV next weekend.

SC CAMBUUR 1-4 FC TWENTE

Twente closed the weekend out with a commanding 4–1 win away at Cambuur, despite having no travelling support. Away fans were banned after the chaotic Cambuur–Feyenoord match last Sunday, where mass fireworks from the visiting section injured seven home supporters. Twente tried to overturn the decision, but the mayor of Leeuwarden refused.

In response, a set of Twente’s fans announced they would still travel, protesting outside the stadium and watching the match in the city if barred from entry. The club had already stated it “totally disagreed” with the ruling, calling it a competitive disadvantage. On the pitch, however, Twente made sure the ban did not affect their performance, delivering a dominant victory thanks to goals from Ruud Nijstad, Wout Weghorst, Marko Pjaca and Younes Taha.

Twente controlled the match from the start, and Nijstad’s superb top‑corner strike set the tone. Weghorst quickly doubled the lead after being sent through by Joël Drommel, and although Cambuur briefly threatened before the break, Pjaca’s early second‑half finish — created by a brilliant Sondre Orjasaeter assist — effectively killed the contest.

Cambuur were forced to absorb wave after wave of pressure, with goalkeeper Thijs Jansen preventing an even heavier defeat. Twente still found a fourth when sloppy defending gifted Taha a late goal. The home crowd finally had something to cheer when Ilyès Hamache made it 1–4 in the closing minutes, but it did little to soften another painful loss. Twente climb to ninth with a game in hand, while Cambuur remain without a point.

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With a reduced schedule due to the KNVB giving clubs breathing room between crucial European fixtures, the Eredivisie still served up plenty. PSV and Feyenoord both delivered convincing wins and Rotterdam hosted a six‑goal spectacle writes Will Burns.

I have attached highlights from the clubs’ official YouTube channel where available so you can watch while you read along.

SATURDAY 22ND AUGUST 2026

FORTUNA SITTARD 0-2 AZ ALKMAAR

AZ Alkmaar strengthened their grip on top spot with a 2–0 win away at Fortuna Sittard, thanks to a decisive brace from Jort Hornkamp. The match swung heavily in Alkmaar’s favour after just five minutes, when Ole Romeny was sent off and left Fortuna to battle almost the entire game with ten men. From that moment on, AZ dominated every phase: possession, territory, chances, corners — all one‑way traffic. Despite their control, the visitors needed patience, only breaking the deadlock in the 58th minute when substitute Hornkamp finally converted the pressure into a deserved goal lead.

Fortuna made a flurry of substitutions in an attempt to stay afloat, but AZ’s superiority never wavered. The away side continued to pin Fortuna deep, preventing them from registering a single shot on target. As the match moved into stoppage time, Hornkamp struck again, sealing the result and extinguishing any remaining hope for the hosts. AZ left Limburg with three points and sit at the top of the Eredivisie, while Fortuna drop to eighth on four points after a night defined by an early red card and relentless Alkmaar pressure.

SPARTA ROTTERDAM 3-3 FC UTRECHT

Nick Verschuren delivered the final twist of a chaotic night, heading in deep into second‑half stoppage time to secure a 3–3 draw for Sparta Rotterdam against FC Utrecht. The defender had hinted at his threat earlier, rising well from a set piece in the first half, and after the break he became a defensive anchor — clearing danger, winning aerial duels and keeping Utrecht’s counters under control. His influence grew as the match stretched, and when Joel Ideho whipped in a late cross, Verschuren timed his run perfectly to glance home the equaliser. His stat line, two attempts on goal, seven clearances and three aerial wins, summed up a performance that mattered in both boxes.

Utrecht struck first through Matisse Didden’s header from a Yoann Cathline corner on 16 minutes, only for Marvin Young to level just before the interval after a clever move involving Ayoni Santos and Bas Kuipers. Seconds after the half-time interval, Artem Stepanov restored Utrecht’s lead, but Milan Zonneveld soon equalised from a superb Shunsuke Mito pass on 67 minutes. Adrian Blake then made it 2–3, though Utrecht’s grip loosened when Kevin Paredes went off injured, leaving them to finish with ten men as they had used all the allotted subs. That disadvantage proved fatal as Verschuren’s late header denied Utrecht their first win under Anthony Correia.

SC HEERENVEEN 0-2 PEC ZWOLLE

Heerenveen’s defeat to PEC Zwolle was a wake-up call to Robin Veldman’s side, to remind to stay grounded despite successful early results. Heerenveen dominated the first half, created several chances and struck the crossbar through Dylan Vente, yet lacked efficiency. PEC Zwolle, winless until this weekend, survived the pressure thanks to Jasper Schendelaar’s saves and then struck immediately after the break. Dylan Mbayo’s brilliant run set up Nick Viergever for the first goal, and minutes later Koen Kostons doubled the lead, again with Mbayo heavily involved. Veldman acknowledged that even Heerenveen’s earlier good results required nuance, and this match exposed familiar issues, huge gaps between the lines, a midfield forced to cover too much ground, and a defence repeatedly stretched.

Up front, Vente’s ongoing struggle to find his role remains symbolic of Heerenveen’s wider problems. He works tirelessly and contributes defensively, yet rarely appears in the penalty area where he is most needed, and the system has not fully unlocked his strengths. Behind him, Ringo Meerveld drifted out of long phases of play, Dirk Proper and Marcus Linday were forced into marathon shifts, and the back line, particularly Vasilios Zagaritis against the explosive Mbayo, looked vulnerable. PEC Zwolle, looking sharper and more organised in the second half, took full advantage and deservedly ended their losing streak.

SUNDAY 23RD AUGUST 2026

GO AHEAD EAGLES 3-1 ADO DEN HAAG

Go Ahead Eagles moved up to second with a composed 3–1 win over ADO Den Haag, who remain bottom after a third straight defeat. The breakthrough at De Adelaarshorst took time, but Søren Tengstedt eventually curled in a fine opener from the left side of the box. He became the first Go Ahead player since Harry Decheiver in 1995 to score in four consecutive league matches.

ADO’s situation worsened just after the hour when Victor Edvardsen cut inside from the right and blasted into the roof of the net, with Tengstedt turning provider. ADO tried to respond and the efforts truly unsettled the hosts, and tension briefly returned when Evan Rottier calmly slotted into the corner with twelve minutes left, giving ADO hope of a late push. They pressed for an equaliser. Othniël Raterink hitting the side netting, but Go Ahead stayed composed and finished the job in stoppage time, Stefán Sigurdarson heading in from a pinpoint Dean James cross.

PSV 5-1 FC GRONINGEN

After opening the campaign with a 2–2 draw against Fortuna Sittard, there was no repeat at the Philips Stadion as PSV claimed their first home win of the season in emphatic fashion, smashing five past FC Groningen on Sunday afternoon.

Both sides created chances in a lively first half, but PSV’s attacking quality told as the match progressed. Groningen struck first through Brynjólfur Willumsson after a misplaced pass from Vaessen. This was the Icelandic strikers’ third goal in as many games. But PSV hit back immediately when Ruben Van Bommel’s burst down the right forced Thijmen Blokzijl into an own goal. Van Bommel then set up Croatian veteran Ivan Perišić for 2–1, and Ricardo Pepi added a penalty before the break to give the hosts a commanding 3–1 lead.

After halftime, Dick Lukkien replaced Schreuders in an attempt to contain Van Bommel, but his substitute Marco Rente lasted only nine minutes before going off injured. PSV capitalised ruthlessly: Perišić scored his second while Rente was still receiving treatment, and Sergino Dest made it 5–1 shortly afterwards. Groningen created little in the second half as PSV controlled the tempo and continued to threaten. Late on, Bosz handed debuts to new defensive signings Filip Kostić and Lutsharel Geertruida, rounding off a dominant afternoon that showcased PSV’s attacking sharpness, even if some first‑half defensive lapses remain a point of attention and may need to be addressed before the window shuts.

SC CAMBUUR 2-5 FEYENOORD

Feyenoord navigated a chaotic afternoon in Leeuwarden, beating Cambuur 5–2 in a match overshadowed by a serious fireworks incident. The game at Kooi Stadion was halted after around twelve minutes when fireworks were launched from the away section toward the pitch and nearby stands, forcing referee Danny Makkelie to suspend play. After consultations with safety officials, police and the mayor, the match eventually resumed without evacuating the Feyenoord end.

Once back underway, the Rotterdammers seized control when Gjivai Zechiël opened the scoring after a mix‑up between Thijs Jansen and Ayase Ueda after the keeper collided with the Japanese striker. Luciano Valente added a second following strong work from Gaoussou Diarra, and a Mika Mármol effort deflected in off Jansen for the third, the keeper, who had already been at fault for the first goal, was given the own goal. Just before the break, Ueda converted a penalty to make it 4-0.

The second half told a different story as Feyenoord eased off and Cambuur fought back. Nicolas Binder headed wide before Rafik El Arguioui struck twice, first finishing a move down the right and then converting again ten minutes later to bring the score to 4-2. Feyenoord, having made several substitutions and handed Javi López his debut, briefly lost control and even wasted a promising counter. The tension ended in the 83rd minute when Jordan Lotomba drilled a low cross to the near post, where Zechiël reacted sharply to tap in his second of the afternoon to restore the three‑goal cushion. on Thursday in the Conference League play‑offs.

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Well last week PSV sh*t the bed stumbling to a 2–2 draw against Fortuna and instantly letting Feyenoord and Ajax pull ahead. But it never stays predictable in the Eredivisie. This weekend, both rivals slipped to their own 2–2 draws, giving PSV the perfect chance to close the gap with a hard‑earned away win at Excelsior. Nothing is ever dull in this league as we experienced another goal feast of a weekend writes Will Burns.

I have attached highlights from the clubs’ official YouTube channel where available so you can watch while you read along.

FRIDAY 14TH AUGUST 2026

SC TELSTAR 1-3 SPARTA ROTTERDAM

Sparta claimed their first win of the season in the Friday night game and they have Nökkvi Thórisson to thank. The Icelandic forward on loan at Telstar last year, was the standout performer against his former club.

Sparta’s striker situation has been a talking point after Tobias Lauritsen left for Sampdoria, and with no replacement signed yet, Thórisson kept his place. Coach Rogier Meijer backed him before kickoff, and the Icelander repaid that trust immediately. After six minutes, Julian Baas whipped in a cross that deflected off Thórisson and fell perfectly for Marvin Young to score the opener.

Telstar took time to settle. Thórisson nearly doubled the lead, but the hosts goalkeeper, Ronald Koeman Jr. saved well, and Baas later denied Patrick Brouwer at the other end. After the break, Sparta started strongly as Ayoni Santos hit the post, but Telstar’s Jelani Seedorf struck the crossbar moments later.

Sparta made it 2-0 in the 53rd minute when Thórisson finished against his former team. Telstar responded late: Abdelnour Soualhia punished a defensive mistake to make it 2–1, setting up a tense finish. But Sparta survived the pressure, and substitute Robin van Cruijsen sealed the win in stoppage time. Both clubs now sit on three points after two rounds.

SATURDAY 15TH AUGUST 2026

WILLEM II 1-4 NEC NIJMEGEN

NEC enjoyed a perfect warm‑up on Saturday afternoon ahead of their Champions League clash with Bodø/Glimt, comfortably beating Willem II 4–1. Bodø’s gaffer Kjetil Knutsen watched from the stands, though the opening phase offered little excitement, Willem II controlled the ball, but neither side created much. NEC didn’t register a shot for the first half‑hour, unusual for a Dick Schreuder team.

Despite the slow start, NEC managed to go in at half‑time a goal up. Clement Bischoff wasted a huge chance from an offside position, but in stoppage time he set up Adam Tahaui, who converted a curling cross to score. Willem II were furious, believing Tahaui had nudged his marker, but the referee and VAR allowed the goal.

After the break, NEC took full control. A deflected Bischoff shot fell kindly for Tjaronn Chery, who rounded the keeper to make it 2–0, becoming NEC’s oldest Eredivisie goalscorer at 38 years and 72 days. Bryan Linssen added a fortunate third after the ball bounced his way, and substitute Kaj Sierhuis quickly made it 4–0 with a sharp volley from a Chery chip.

Thomas Verheijdt pulled one back late on, but the result was never in doubt. NEC head into Wednesday’s first leg against the Norweigans in excellent spirits, while Willem II sit bottom of the Eredivisie after two defeats.

FC UTRECHT 1-4 AZ ALKMAAR

AZ claimed a comfortable win over FC Utrecht to move to the top of the Eredivisie. The home side started brightly but once AZ settled, chances followed — Wesley Patati hit the crossbar and caused constant danger.

Alkmaar took the lead just before half‑time when Peer Koopmeiners’ corner went straight in. After the break, Patati got his reward with a brilliant strike into the top corner for 2–0. Moments later, Mexx Meerdink finished a pull‑back from Mexican full-back Mateo Chávez to make it 3–0. Utrecht briefly responded through Artem Stepanov’s header, but a comeback never materialised. Substitute Ayoub Oufkir quickly restored AZ’s three‑goal cushion with a sharp finish from a tight angle.

AZ now have two wins from two and sit top of the league. Utrecht, meanwhile, have lost both matches under new coach Anthony Correia and find themselves second‑bottom, ahead of only Willem II.

EXCELSIOR 1-2 PSV EINDHOVEN

PSV bounced back from their poor start with a hard-fought win at Excelsior. Goals from Ruben van Bommel and Ricardo Pepi delivered Peter Bosz’s side their first three points.

With Sergiño Dest back from suspension and Joey Veerman starting in what would be his last game for the club, PSV began brightly. Excelsior did start well too, but Veerman’s perfect through ball sent Paul Wanner through on goal. His finish was saved, yet Ruben van Bommel reacted quickest and scored the rebound after just five minutes. This was Van Bommel’s first goal since September last year.

The rest of the first half offered little action, aside from an Ivan Perišić effort saved by Stijn van Gassel. The second half, however, saw two goals within the first ten minutes. Dest forced a save at one end, and moments later Casper Widell headed in Irakli Yegoian’s cross for 1–1 on 54 minutes. PSV hit back instantly: Dest’s low cross found Ricardo Pepi, who tapped in for 2-1.

PSV controlled the closing stages but wasted chances to finish the game. Three PSV subs came close to extending the lead. Debutant Kodai Sano saw two efforts saved, Amir Bouhamdi’s solo run ended without reward, and Dennis Man chipped wide after a brilliant pass from Veerman. Excelsior kept believing, but PSV held firm to secure their first win of the season.

Later in the weekend, Borussia Dortmund agreed a fee with PSV for Joey Veerman in the excess of €22 million.

FORTUNA SITTARD 3-1 SC CAMBUUR

Fortuna Sittard backed up last week’s strong result against PSV with another solid win, this time at home against Cambuur. They started fast: Philip Brittijn headed in a corner after six minutes, and Lequincio Zeefuik made it 2–0 shortly after with a sharp counter‑attack finish.

SC Cambuur, who were thrashed 4–0 by Excelsior last week, looked in trouble again but managed to pull one back through Rafik El Arguioui’s cool penalty. After the break, Fortuna needed goalkeeper Mattijs Branderhorst to keep them ahead, making several key saves. Deep into added time, substitute Shiloh Zand sealed the victory with a late goal for 3–1. Fortuna now have an unexpected four points from two matches.

SUNDAY 16TH AUGUST 2026

ADO DEN HAAG 1-4 FC GRONINGEN

ADO Den Haag’s first top flight home match in five years didn’t go as planned as Groningen ignored the party atmosphere in The Hague and cruised to a comfortable win.

The hosts were full of excitement after returning to the top flight, but Groningen struck early. Thom van Bergen made it 1–0 after a long ball from Etienne Vaessen, and Brynjólfur Willumsson doubled the lead with a simple finish for his second goal of the season. Just before half‑time, David van der Werff tapped in a third after a swift counter attack.

After the half-time break, Groningen immediately had several opportunities to extend their lead, but following a mistake by Elvis van der Laan, the goal suddenly came at the other end. Yannick Eduardo capitalised and scored ADO’s first goal since their return to the top flights but Groningen substitute Nils Eggens sealed the result late on with his first Eredivisie goal. The visitors stay unbeaten after two matches; ADO however, still search for their first point.

FC TWENTE 3-1 PEC ZWOLLE

FC Twente picked up their first league win of the new season beating PEC Zwolle 3–1 at De Grolsch Veste. The victory comes at a good moment for John van den Brom’s side, who had faced criticism after a poor start that included defeat to SC Heerenveen, the Europa League elimination, and a chaotic 3–3 draw with DAC.

Despite the tense atmosphere, Twente began strongly and dominated possession but the mood soured when PEC struck first. Twente keeper Lars Unnerstall played Robin Pröpper into trouble, and the defender lost the ball, and former Newcastle United youth Elias Sørensen punished the mistake. This was the first goal for the Dane since his summer transfer from Vålerenga.

Twente responded quickly. Daouda Weidmann wriggled free and smashed in a long‑range equaliser, giving the hosts a much‑needed lift. After the break, Twente regained control with help from Zwolle. Dylan Mbayo accidentally headed Bart van Rooij’s cross into his own net for 2–1.

From there, Twente pushed on. Wout Weghorst missed a big chance, but PEC struggled to stay in the game. Daan Rots made it 3–1 with a powerful strike from distance, leaving Jasper Schendelaar helpless. Quick note, Sam Lammers came on again as a substitute, this time on 82 minutes for Weghorst. Late on, fans celebrated the debut of big summer signing Filip Thorvaldsen, who arrived for €5.5 million, also from Vålerenga.

The win gives Twente some breathing room ahead of their Conference League play‑off against Qarabag. They host the first leg in Enschede before travelling to Azerbaijan for the return.

FEYENOORD 2-2 GO AHEAD EAGLES

Feyenoord suffered a surprising setback in their first home match of the season. Despite leading 2–0 through Gjivai Zechiël and Ayase Ueda, they couldn’t hold off Go Ahead Eagles and were forced to settle for a 2-2 draw.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst made just one change from the 1–0 win over Sparta, bringing Tsuyoshi Watanabe back into the centre of defence. With Zechiël and Luciano Valente operating ahead of Charles Vanhoutte, Feyenoord controlled the early stages. Zechiël created the first big chance for Ueda, who missed the far corner, but the pressure kept building.

Go Ahead nearly struck first when Yassir Salah Rahmouni hit the crossbar after a misplaced pass from Tjark Ernst. Moments later, Feyenoord responded. Zechiël stayed alert in the box and finished on the second attempt to make it 1–0. Soon after, Anis Hadj Moussa delivered a perfect cross for Ueda, who headed in the 2–0.

Feyenoord should have made it 3–0 early in the second half, but Ueda missed a clear chance. That opened the door for Go Ahead and Evert Linthorst wasted a big opportunity, but Søren Tengstedt soon pulled one back with a sharp finish into the far corner on 63 minutes.

The goal lifted Go Ahead’s confidence. Victor Edvardsen threatened, Giovanni van Zwam hit the post, and Sem Steijn had to clear off the line. Van Bronckhorst was forced to replace an exhausted Givairo Read, and the pressure kept rising. In the 80th minute, substitute Stefán Ingi Sigurdarson made an instant impact, heading in the 2–2 equaliser moments after coming on.

Van Bronckhorst sent on Shaqueel van Persie for a final push, but Feyenoord couldn’t regain the lead. Mathis Suray hit the crossbar for Go Ahead, then Mika Mármol struck the woodwork at the other end. The match delivered plenty of drama, but no winning goal. Go Ahead Eagles left De Kuip with a deserved point.

AJAX 2-2 SC HEERENVEEN

Ajax also dropped points on Sunday afternoon even though Míchel Sánchez’s side started brilliantly against Heerenveen, flying out of the blocks, pressing high and dominating the early stages. With 17‑year‑old Abdellah Ouazana replacing the departed Mika Godts, the Amsterdammers created several good chances for Oscar Gloukh and Steven Berghuis, but their finishing let them down.

The breakthrough came after seven minutes from a corner, when the ball bounced off the post and Heerenveen goalkeeper Bernt Klaverboer accidentally headed it into his own net. Ajax doubled their lead half an hour in. Ouazana had struggled early on, misplacing passes and frustrating his coach, but he made up for it with a stunning long‑range strike to make it 2–0 giving Klaverboer no chance.

Ajax then eased off the pressure which allowed Heerenveen back into the game. Marc ter Stegen made key saves from Luca Oyen and Dylan Vente, while Kasper Dolberg missed a huge chance at the other end. Just before half‑time, right-winger Jacob Trenskow cut inside and hammered the ball into the top corner to pull one back.

The second half lacked the intensity of the first, Ajax slowed down, chances dried up, and Heerenveen eventually punished them. With ten minutes to go, a loose ball after a cross fell to substitute Maxence Rivera, and the Frenchman smashed in the equaliser off the underside of the bar.

This was the third straight draw between the two sides. Ajax miss the chance to join AZ and FC Groningen at six points and now sit fifth with four points, level with Go Ahead Eagles, Fortuna Sittard, PSV, Feyenoord and Heerenveen. Ajax will now need to regroup to face FC Sion on Thursday in the Conference League play‑offs.

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The opening weekend is in the books, and the Eredivisie has already shown why it remains one of Europe’s most unpredictable leagues. There were only one or two surprises, as Feyenoord and Ajax start strong while champions PSV were held at home by Fortuna Sittard. Still, with 25 goals across nine matches, the entertainment levels were exactly what you’d expect from this league writes Will Burns.

I have attached highlights from the clubs’ official YouTube channel where available so you can watch while you read along.

FRIDAY 7TH AUGUST 2026

SC CAMBUUR 0–4 EXCELSIOR

Cambuur’s first game back in the Eredivisie after three years showed just how little top‑flight experience they have. Of the starting XI, only Jamal Amofa, with 61 league appearances, and Rafik El Arguioui, just one, had played at this level before. This was a poor performance for the home side, while Excelsior who scored 5, 5 and 3 in their last three pre-season friendlies continued their scoring spree.

Excelsior took the lead after 17 minutes when Rik Mulders lost the ball and Gyan de Regt played in Georgian right-winger Irakli Yegoian, who finished calmly into the near corner. De Regt then missed a big chance to make it two. In the 31st minute, Skye Vink was dispossessed, Yegoian crossed from the right, and Noah Naujoks slotted in for 0–2. Just before half‑time, Simon Janssen’s cross towards David Garden deflected off El Arguioui and beat Thijs Jansen — the goal credited to Garden for 0–3.

To try and claw back the deficit, Johan Plat brought on Bouhoudane and Costarelli at the break, and Cambuur did show more intent. El Arguioui rounded Stijn van Gassel but couldn’t find a teammate in front of an open goal, then dragged a shot wide moments later. Excelsior still threatened on the counter, and after 59 minutes Naujoks forced a strong save from Jansen with a powerful effort.

The fourth goal arrived in the 68th minute. Jansen was late coming for a corner, allowing Naujoks to head in his second of the night for 0–4.In stoppage time, Ilano Silva Timas thought he had added a fifth, but VAR ruled him offside.

SATURDAY 8TH AUGUST 2026

NEC 1–2 TELSTAR

Telstar stunned NEC with a 1–2 win, leaving the Nijmegen side with a major setback ahead of their Champions League return leg against Olympiakos. Last season’s Eredivisie sensation, who finished third, started poorly and never fully recovered.

The visitors struck almost immediately, just 27 seconds to be precise, when a long throw was flicked on to Patrick Brouwer, who made it 0–1. NEC nearly equalised in the 13th minute when Tjaronn Chery hit the post and Sami Ouaissa fired over from the rebound. Instead, Telstar doubled their lead in the 24th minute. Brouwer found space and slipped the ball to new signing Rui Mendes, who finished confidently for 0–2.

NEC created little for most of the match, and Telstar even came close to a third when Jelani Seedorf’s header caused chaos in the box. Fifteen minutes from time, substitute Kaj Sierhuis hit the crossbar, but he eventually pulled one back in the 82nd minute after good work from Dusan Tadić, making his first official start.

Telstar, last season’s 14th‑placed side, held firm in the closing stages and left Nijmegen with an excellent opening‑day victory. NEC now must regroup quickly. Olympiakos visit the Goffert on Tuesday, with Champions League qualification still within reach. A win would set up a tie against FK Bodø/Glimt or Union Saint‑Gilloise; a loss would drop NEC into the Europa League.

GO AHEAD EAGLES 4–1 WILLEM II

Go Ahead Eagles overturned an early deficit to cruise past newly promoted Willem II. Devin Haen put the visitors ahead in the 13th minute from Nathan Tjoe‑A‑On’s cross, but Søren Tengstedt equalised on the half‑hour after being played through by Melle Meulensteen.

French goalkeeper Thomas Didillon kept Willem II in the game before the break with saves from Stefán Sigurðarson and Dean James, but Go Ahead took full control after half‑time. Meulensteen smashed a long‑range effort into the top corner in the 61st minute, and two minutes later substitute Erik Flataker. who was on the pitch for barely a minute, finished Victor Edvardsen’s pass for the Norweigan’s first goal since joining from AIK Stockholm in the summer.

Willem II then lost Didillon to injury, forcing Wouter van der Steen to come on. With the defence and the keeper trying to get their bearings, Julius Dirksen headed in from Mathis Suray’s cross to make it 4–1 literally moments after the substitution.

The score was probably fair as Go Ahead dominated with 69% possession, 20 shots and 10 on target while the Tilburgers managed just one effort on target from their thirteen attempts. Next weekend sees Go Ahead travel to Feyenoord, while Willem II host NEC.

PSV 2–2 FORTUNA SITTARD

Still reeling from their Johan Cruijff Schaal defeat, PSV’s title defence stumbled again as they were held by a spirited Fortuna Sittard. Peter Bosz’s side came from 0–1 down to lead through Ryan Flamingo and Noah Fernandez, only to concede a late equaliser in stoppage time. Édouard Michut finished off a Fortuna counter in the 92nd minute, earning the visitors their first point at the Philips Stadion in 26 years.

The champions dominated early but were sloppy, and Fortuna actually created the better chances. Ole Romeny had an early goal ruled out for offside, and PSV stopper Matej Kovár had to save his team after a mistake from Flamingo. Despite PSV’s huge possession share, Fortuna remained dangerous, while PSV’s best first‑half moment came when Ruben van Bommel headed Ivan Perišić’s corner onto the bar.

Just before the break, Flamingo’s misjudged header gifted Romeny a clear chance, and he calmly made it 0–1. Bosz made changes at half‑time, and ten minutes later Flamingo made amends by heading in a Perišić corner for 1–1. However, just before his goal, Fortuna keeper Mattijs Branderhorst was visibly held by his shirt by Paul Wanner. Referee Alex Bos allowed the goal nonetheless, and VAR official Martin van den Kerkhof saw no reason to intervene.

Fortuna’s issues worsened when they lost Lequincio Zeefuik to injury but showed resilience by still threatenining, with Kovár forced into another save from a deflected Mohamed Ihattaren effort. PSV eventually turned the game around in the 74th minute. A quick counter saw Alassane Pléa lose control of the ball, but Noah Fernandez arrived to lift it over Branderhorst for 2–1. That looked enough, until deep into injury time. Fortuna broke forward, Perišić failed to clear properly, and the ball fell to Michut. His shot took a slight touch off Perišić’s head and beat Kovár for 2–2.

PSV’s title defence begins with frustration; Fortuna leave Eindhoven with a deserved point.

AZ ALKMAAR 2–0 ADO DEN HAAG

AZ opened with a solid run of the mill 2–0 win over ADO Den Haag. The hosts created several chances before the break but only made the difference in the second half, with returning Calvin Stengs coming off the bench and playing a decisive role in both goals.

ADO started surprisingly brightly and within a minute, Daryl van Mieghem set up Evan Rottier, but his mishit effort was saved by AZ stopper Jari De Busser. AZ soon took control and pushed ADO back, creating chances through Wesley Patati, Dave Kwakman and Ro‑Zangelo Daal. The young full-back Elijah Dijkstra appeared to give AZ the lead after 22 minutes, but VAR ruled out the goal for a foul by Mexx Meerdink. Meerdink later forced a strong save from goalkeeper Kilian Nikiema, while Rottier hit the post at the other end, even though the play had already been stopped for handball.

After the break, AZ continued to dominate and ADO were limited to counter attacks. The breakthrough came just after the hour mark. Stengs, brought on in the 57th minute, helped launch an attack down the left, and Daal finished calmly for 1–0. Seven minutes later, AZ doubled their lead with Daal again caused problems on the flank, found midfielder Kees Smit, and he laid the ball off perfectly for Stengs to fire in the 2–0.

ADO tried to respond, but their best chance, a cross from the right, was missed by Eduardo and just out of reach for Illaijh De Ruijter. AZ saw out the match comfortably and began the season with three points, while ADO’s return to the Eredivisie started with defeat. For AZ, Stengs’ impact stood out. In just eleven minutes, he scored once and played a key part in the opener, an ideal showing on his return to Alkmaar.

SUNDAY 9TH AUGUST 2026

SPARTA ROTTERDAM 0–1 FEYENOORD

Feyenoord grafted in their 1-0 win at Het Kasteel, though their performance under returning manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst was far from polished. Luciano Valente, the newly appointed captain, scored the only goal in the Rotterdam derby.

Van Bronckhorst handed starts to three summer signings: goalkeeper Tjark Ernst, defender Mika Mármol (filling in at left‑back), and midfielder Charles Vanhoutte. Regulars Givairo Read, Anis Hadj Moussa, Ayase Ueda, and Gaoussou Diarra also featured. Sparta’s new coach Rogier Meijer relied on experience, including former Feyenoord players Bruno Martins Indi and Jens Toornstra, with Filip Bednarek in goal.

The match started brightly. Ayase Ueda, who looks to be on his way out of Rotterdam, headed wide early, Sparta keeper Filip Bednarek kept out a mis-hit cross from Diarra, and Hadj Moussa had a goal ruled out for offside. Sparta nearly struck first when Casper Terho capitalised on a mistake by Read, but he missed the one‑on‑one with Ernst.

The visitors controlled most of the first half without creating clear chances, until ten minutes before the break. Zechiël reached the byline and cut the ball back for Valente, who finished calmly. Feyenoord pushed for a second but couldn’t convert before the whistle.

Early in the second half, Ueda, Gjival Zechiël, Valente and Hadj Moussa all had chances to extend the lead, while Sparta’s Nökkvi Thórisson headed wide from a free opportunity. Feyenoord then suffered a few injury scares: Read briefly left the pitch, Diarra asked to be substituted, and Thijs Kraaijeveld looked uncomfortable. Van Bronckhorst made several changes, including debuts for Nacho Ferri and Tijme Wessels.

Sparta pushed late on and thought they had equalised when Milan Zonneveld scored from close range, but the goal was ruled out for offside. In added time, Zonneveld and Mitchell van Bergen both missed chances, and another Zonneveld effort was disallowed for a foul. Despite a sloppy display, Feyenoord held on for the three points.

FC GRONINGEN 2–1 FC UTRECHT

Anthony Correia’s FC Utrecht debut ended in defeat at the Euroborg. The visitors arrived in Groningen missing several players, including Vasilis Barkas and Matisse Didden, while new striker Artem Stepanovs was still awaiting clearance. Michael Brouwer started in goal, Ferdinand Pohl debuted in defence, and David Min led the line due to limited options.

Groningen also had changes: Jorg Schreuders played at right‑back, Marco Rente partnered new captain Thijmen Blokzijl centrally, and Thom van Bergen started up front with new signing Pelle Clement on the left. Groningen struck first. After ten minutes, Brynjólfur Willumsson capitalised on a misplaced pass and finished calmly for 1–0. He nearly doubled the lead soon after, and both sides later had goals ruled out for offside.

Right after the break, Van Bergen made it 2–0 with a clever volley at the near post. Groningen stayed on top, though Willumsson’s next effort lacked power. Utrecht improved around the hour mark. The hosts keeper Etienne Vaessen saved a header from Mike Eerdhuijzen, and Correia made triple changes to spark life into his team. Angel Alarcón then missed a huge chance with the goal wide open, but Utrecht kept pushing.

Ten minutes from time, they finally pulled one back. Van den Berg broke through and squared for Adrian Blake, who finished for 2–1. Utrecht threatened again through Alarcón and Adrian Blake, but Vaessen held firm and Groningen survived the late pressure. Groningen take the points; Utrecht’s fightback falls just short.

PEC ZWOLLE 0–2 AJAX

Ajax’s 2–0 win over PEC Zwolle was overshadowed by Mika Godts’ late withdrawal from the starting lineup. The Belgian was announced in the starting line-up, completed the warm‑up, then reported physical overload and was benched as a precaution. His agent, Niels De Jonck, stressed the decision had nothing to do with ongoing talks with PSG. Then strangely, Godts later came on as a substitute.

Ajax gaffer Michel Sánchez made four changes from midweek, handing debuts to Caio Henrique and Marc ter Stegen but without Godts, Ajax lacked creativity and produced a flat first half. The underdogs created the best chance through Tobias Sommer, who was denied by Ter Stegen before half-time. The second half brought little improvement, with notably Youri Regeer, Steven Berghuis and Kasper Dolberg struggling to make an impact. Ajax only gained control after Sherel Floranus was sent off for a reckless challenge on Lucas Rosa on 57 minutes.

Michel turned to his new signings, bringing on Julian Brandt, Marcos Leonardo and Tolu Arokodare. Their introduction finally changed the tempo and within three minutes being on the pitch Arokodare’s strength allowed him to bring down a high ball and lay it off for Jorthy Mokio for 1-0. Deep into stoppage time, Ajax sealed the win when Brandt broke away and scored his first Eredivisie goal, assisted by Godts.

After the match, Godts explained his reduced role, saying he felt discomfort during the warm‑up and agreed with Michel to play only the final minutes if needed. He also addressed the PSG rumours, confirming talks exist but insisting his professionalism is unchanged and he will continue to play whenever Ajax need him.

Ajax left Zwolle with three points but the performance showed there is still plenty of work to do.

SC HEERENVEEN 1–0 FC TWENTE

SC Heerenveen edged FC Twente 1–0 thanks to Luca Oyen’s decisive strike, and coach Robin Veldman admitted afterwards that his side had to dig deep to secure the points. He felt the win was “especially physical,” noting that Twente’s late aerial bombardment made the closing stages difficult. With Wout Weghorst joined by Lucas Vennegoor of Hesselink and later Sam Lammers, Heerenveen were forced to defend wave after wave of crosses, a scenario Veldman said the staff had anticipated.

New signings Dirk Proper and Lanroy Machine started for Heerenveen, while Twente replaced the injured Daouda Weidmann with Thomas van den Belt. The first half at the Abe Lenstra Stadium produced chances for both sides but no goals. The breakthrough came seven minutes after the restart. Substitute Luca Oyen finished at the near post after Jacob Trenskow’s assist, beating Lars Unnerstall for 1–0. Twente pushed hard for an equaliser, especially in the final phase, but Heerenveen held firm to claim a hard‑earned victory.

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