Match report

Groningen Defeats Excelsior 2-0 in Eredivisie

Excelsior
Excelsior
0–2
FT
Groningen
Groningen
Dec 5, 2025

Groningen secured a crucial victory over Excelsior by a score of 2-0 in their Eredivisie encounter. The game was marred with discipline issues on both sides, leading to red cards for S. Middendorp (Excelsior) and M. Rente (Groningen). Thom van Bergen opened the scoring for Groningen at the half-hour mark while S. Resink sealed the win from a penalty late in extra time.

Key Facts

  • • Final Score: Excelsior 0 - 2 Groningen
  • • Thom van Bergen scored the first goal for Groningen at minute 61
  • • S. Resink converted a penalty in the 90th minute
  • • Excelsior's S. Middendorp and Groningen's M. Rente were both shown red cards during the game

Lineups

Excelsior

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Starting XI

  • 1 S. van Gassel (G)
  • 2 I. Bronkhorst (D)
  • 4 C. Widell (D)
  • 3 R. Meissen (D)
  • 12 A. Zagre (D)
  • 25 S. Middendorp (M)
  • 20 L. Hartjes (M)
  • 30 D. Sanches Fernandes (M)
  • 10 N. Naujoks (M)
  • 11 G. de Regt (M)
  • 33 J. Bergraaf (F)

Substitutes

  • 16 C. Raatsie
  • 5 S. Henderikx
  • 6 A. Carlen
  • 7 D. Yoon
  • 9 S. Wlodarczyk
  • 14 L. Schouten
  • 15 S. Janssen
  • 17 N. Martens
  • 22 S. Mitrovic
  • 29 M. van Duinen
  • 34 N. El Hamdaoui

Groningen

Formation: 4-4-2

Starting XI

  • 1 E. Vaessen (G)
  • 5 M. Rente (D)
  • 3 T. Blokzijl (D)
  • 4 D. Janse (D)
  • 43 M. Peersman (D)
  • 14 J. Schreuders (M)
  • 8 T. de Jonge (M)
  • 6 S. Resink (M)
  • 10 Y. Taha (M)
  • 9 B. Willumsson (F)
  • 26 T. van Bergen (F)

Substitutes

  • 13 L. Stubljar
  • 21 H. Jurjus
  • 2 W. Prins
  • 11 N. Emeran
  • 16 T. Mercera
  • 17 D. van der Werff
  • 18 T. Land
  • 20 M. Seuntjens
  • 22 S. Bouland
  • 27 R. Mendes
  • 57 N. Eggens
  • 69 M. Hoekstra

Timeline

  1. Groningen
    21' Groningen Card · Yellow Card
    Thijmen Blokzijl

    Foul

  2. Groningen
    45'+2 Groningen Var · Penalty cancelled
    Thom van Bergen
  3. Excelsior
    45'+3 Excelsior Card · Yellow Card
    R. Meissen

    Foul

  4. Excelsior
    46' Excelsior subst · Substitution 1
    Off: R. Meissen · On: Stan Henderikx
  5. Excelsior
    46' Excelsior subst · Substitution 2
    Off: L. Hartjes · On: L. Schouten
  6. Groningen
    58' Groningen Card · Yellow Card
    M. Rente

    Foul

  7. Groningen
    61' Groningen Goal · Normal Goal
    Thom van Bergen
  8. Excelsior
    70' Excelsior Card · Red Card
    S. Middendorp

    Foul

  9. Excelsior
    70' Excelsior Var · Card upgrade
    S. Middendorp
  10. Groningen
    72' Groningen subst · Substitution 1
    Off: B. Willumsson · On: D. van der Werff
  11. Groningen
    72' Groningen subst · Substitution 2
    Off: Tika de Jonge · On: T. Land
  12. Excelsior
    76' Excelsior subst · Substitution 3
    Off: Arthur Zagre · On: S. Janssen
  13. Excelsior
    81' Excelsior subst · Substitution 4
    Off: D. Sanches Fernandes · On: D. Yoon
  14. Excelsior
    81' Excelsior subst · Substitution 5
    Off: J. Bergraaf · On: S. Wlodarczyk
  15. Excelsior
    85' Excelsior Card · Yellow Card
    D. Yoon

    Foul

  16. Groningen
    88' Groningen subst · Substitution 3
    Off: Marvin Peersman · On: W. Prins
  17. Groningen
    88' Groningen subst · Substitution 4
    Off: Y. Taha · On: N. Eggens
  18. Groningen
    89' Groningen Card · Yellow Card
    M. Rente

    Time wasting

  19. Groningen
    89' Groningen Card · Red Card
    M. Rente

    Time wasting

  20. Groningen
    90'+5 Groningen subst · Substitution 5
    Off: J. Schreuders · On: T. Mercera
  21. Groningen
    90' Groningen Goal · Penalty
    S. Resink

Match Stats

Stat Excelsior Groningen
Fouls 10 9
Pass Accuracy 78% 82%
Offsides 3 2
Red Cards 1 1
Total Shots 16 20
Corners 5 5
Total Passes 417 502
Yellow Cards 2 3
Blocked Shots 2 4
Shots on Target 6 8
xG 2.01 3.89
Shots off Target 8 8
Possession 46% 54%
Goals Prevented 0 0
Accurate Passes 325 414
Shots Inside Box 14 12
Saves 6 5
Shots Outside Box 2 8

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ The dismissal of Excelsior's S. Middendorp in the 70th minute shifted momentum in favor of Groningen, allowing them to control the match and secure a goal advantage.
  • ▸ Groningen capitalized on their numerical superiority, with S. Resink scoring from the penalty spot in extra time after M. Rente was shown a red card for time wasting.