Match report
Heracles 1–1 Excelsior in Eredivisie Thriller
Heracles
1–1
FT
Excelsior
Mar 20, 2026
Heracles and Excelsior played out a thrilling 1-1 draw in the Eredivisie, showcasing the competitive nature of the Dutch league. Scheperman scored for Heracles early, but Excelsior's Sanches Fernandes equalized before halftime, securing a hard-fought point in a match filled with momentum shifts and several substitutions.
Key Facts
- • S. Scheperman scored for Heracles in the 23rd minute
- • D. Sanches Fernandes equalized for Excelsior in the 57th minute
- • J. Wieckhoff of Heracles received a yellow card for tripping in the 14th minute
- • S. Wlodarczyk of Excelsior was cautioned for elbowing in the 80th minute
- • Heracles made a flurry of substitutions between the 46th and 72nd minutes to maintain their offensive pressure
- • Excelsior made multiple substitutions in the second half to counter Heracles' strategy
Lineups
Heracles
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Starting XI
- 22 Remko Pasveer (G)
- 3 Jannes Wieckhoff (D)
- 4 Damon Mirani (D)
- 18 Alec Van Hoorenbeeck (D)
- 24 Ivan Mesík (D)
- 32 Sem Scheperman (M)
- 20 Rhys Bozinovski (M)
- 14 Erik Ahlstrand (M)
- 25 Lequincio Zeefuik (M)
- 9 Naci Ünüvar (M)
- 70 Ajdin Hrustić (F)
Substitutes
- 2 Mimeirhel Benita
- 17 Tristan van Gilst
- 13 Jan Žambůrek
- 7 Bryan Limbombe
- 16 Timo Jansink
- 30 Robin Mantel
- 5 Djevencio van der Kust
- 6 Sava Arangel Čestić
- 73 Walid Ould-Chikh
- 8 Mario Engels
- 10 Thomas Bruns
- 41 Tarik Hamamioglu
Excelsior
Formation: 4-1-4-1
Starting XI
- 1 Stijn van Gassel (G)
- 2 Ilias Bronkhorst (D)
- 4 Casper Widell (D)
- 14 Lewis Schouten (D)
- 12 Arthur Zagre (D)
- 20 Lennard Hartjes (M)
- 30 Derensili Sanches Fernandes (M)
- 10 Noah Naujoks (M)
- 23 Irakli Yegoian (M)
- 11 Gyan de Regt (M)
- 33 Jerolldino Bergraaf (F)
Substitutes
- 3 Rick Meissen
- 7 Emil Hansson
- 29 Mike van Duinen
- 40 Tijmen Holla
- 5 Stan Henderikx
- 15 Simon Janssen
- 24 Giuliano Cairo
- 8 Mathijs Tielemans
- 6 Adam Carlén
- 9 Szymon Włodarczyk
Timeline
-
14' Heracles Card · Yellow CardJ. Wieckhoff
Tripping
-
23' Heracles Goal · Normal GoalS. Scheperman
-
38' Excelsior subst · Substitution 1Off: L. Schouten · On: R. Meissen
-
46' Heracles subst · Substitution 1Off: J. Wieckhoff · On: M. Benita
-
57' Excelsior Goal · Normal GoalD. Sanches Fernandes · Assist: N. Naujoks
-
58' Heracles subst · Substitution 2Off: N. Unuvar · On: T. van Gilst
-
61' Heracles subst · Substitution 3Off: S. Scheperman · On: J. Zamburek
-
69' Excelsior subst · Substitution 2Off: G. de Regt · On: E. Hansson
-
69' Excelsior subst · Substitution 3Off: J. Bergraaf · On: M. van Duinen
-
72' Heracles subst · Substitution 4Off: E. Ahlstrand · On: Bryan Limbombe
-
72' Heracles subst · Substitution 5Off: R. Bozinovski · On: M. Engels
-
79' Excelsior subst · Substitution 4Off: D. Sanches Fernandes · On: S. Wlodarczyk
-
80' Excelsior Card · Yellow CardS. Wlodarczyk
Elbowing
-
87' Heracles Card · Yellow CardM. Engels
Roughing
-
90' Excelsior subst · Substitution 5Off: N. Naujoks · On: Adam Carlén
Match Stats
| Stat | Heracles | Excelsior |
|---|---|---|
| Fouls | 17 | 15 |
| Pass Accuracy | 72% | 75% |
| Offsides | 3 | 2 |
| Red Cards | — | — |
| Total Shots | 13 | 14 |
| Corners | 6 | 1 |
| Total Passes | 370 | 377 |
| Yellow Cards | 2 | 1 |
| Blocked Shots | 1 | 5 |
| Shots on Target | 4 | 3 |
| xG | 1.52 | 1.03 |
| Shots off Target | 8 | 6 |
| Possession | 50% | 50% |
| Goals Prevented | 0 | 0 |
| Accurate Passes | 265 | 284 |
| Shots Inside Box | 8 | 7 |
| Saves | 2 | 3 |
| Shots Outside Box | 5 | 7 |
Key Match Notes
- ▸ Excelsior equalized in the 57th minute through Sanches Fernandes, turning the game around and leveling the score
- ▸ Heracles responded with multiple substitutions in the 60s to regain their momentum and maintain their offensive efforts