Match report

Heracles Outlasts Excelsior 2-1 in Eredivisie Showdown

Excelsior
Excelsior
1–2
FT
Heracles
Heracles
Nov 8, 2025

Heracles managed to outlast Excelsior in a tightly contested Eredivisie match, emerging victorious 2-1. The game was marked by an early goal from N. Naujoks for Excelsior, which gave them the lead until Heracles struck back with two goals in quick succession from W. Ould Chikh and L. Kulenovic.

Key Facts

  • • N. Naujoks scored an early goal for Excelsior at minute 8, assisted by I. Yegoian.
  • • Heracles leveled the game with a goal from W. Ould Chikh in the 60th minute, set up by Jizz Hornkamp.
  • • L. Kulenovic secured the win for Heracles with a goal in the 79th minute, assisted by A. Hrustic.
  • • Excelsior had two yellow cards: Casper Widell (40') and no other key players fouled significantly.

Lineups

Excelsior

Formation: 4-3-3

Starting XI

  • 1 S. van Gassel (G)
  • 2 I. Bronkhorst (D)
  • 4 C. Widell (D)
  • 3 R. Meissen (D)
  • 17 N. Martens (D)
  • 10 N. Naujoks (M)
  • 6 A. Carlen (M)
  • 23 I. Yegoian (M)
  • 30 D. Sanches Fernandes (F)
  • 9 S. Wlodarczyk (F)
  • 11 G. de Regt (F)

Substitutes

  • 33 J. Bergraaf
  • 5 S. Henderikx
  • 25 S. Middendorp
  • 22 S. Mitrovic
  • 16 C. Raatsie
  • 14 L. Schouten
  • 8 M. Tielemans
  • 7 D. Yoon
  • 29 M. van Duinen

Heracles

Formation: 4-4-2

Starting XI

  • 16 T. Jansink (G)
  • 23 M. te Wierik (D)
  • 4 D. Mirani (D)
  • 18 A. Van Hoorenbeeck (D)
  • 24 I. Mesik (D)
  • 7 B. Limbombe (M)
  • 70 A. Hrustic (M)
  • 13 J. Zamburek (M)
  • 73 W. Ould Chikh (M)
  • 19 L. Kulenovic (F)
  • 9 J. Hornkamp (F)

Substitutes

  • 10 T. Bruns
  • 8 M. Engels
  • 30 R. Mantel
  • 22 L. Milani
  • 2 M. Benita
  • 3 J. Wieckhoff
  • 1 F. de Keijzer
  • 5 D. van der Kust

Timeline

  1. Excelsior
    8' Excelsior Goal · Normal Goal
    N. Naujoks · Assist: I. Yegoian
  2. Excelsior
    15' Excelsior subst · Substitution 1
    Off: I. Bronkhorst · On: Stan Henderikx
  3. Excelsior
    40' Excelsior Card · Yellow Card
    Casper Widell

    Foul

  4. Heracles
    44' Heracles Card · Yellow Card
    I. Mesik

    Foul

  5. Heracles
    59' Heracles subst · Substitution 1
    Off: J. Zamburek · On: T. Bruns
  6. Heracles
    60' Heracles subst · Substitution 2
    Off: Bryan Limbombe · On: M. Engels
  7. Heracles
    60' Heracles Goal · Normal Goal
    W. Ould Chikh · Assist: Jizz Hornkamp
  8. Excelsior
    66' Excelsior subst · Substitution 2
    Off: S. Wlodarczyk · On: J. Bergraaf
  9. Excelsior
    66' Excelsior subst · Substitution 3
    Off: N. Naujoks · On: S. Middendorp
  10. Heracles
    79' Heracles Goal · Normal Goal
    L. Kulenovic · Assist: A. Hrustic
  11. Heracles
    81' Heracles subst · Substitution 3
    Off: M. te Wierik · On: J. Wieckhoff
  12. Heracles
    81' Heracles subst · Substitution 4
    Off: W. Ould Chikh · On: D. van der Kust
  13. Excelsior
    84' Excelsior subst · Substitution 4
    Off: D. Sanches Fernandes · On: D. Yoon
  14. Excelsior
    84' Excelsior subst · Substitution 5
    Off: N. Martens · On: M. van Duinen
  15. Heracles
    90'+2 Heracles Card · Yellow Card
    J. Wieckhoff

    Foul

Match Stats

Stat Excelsior Heracles
Fouls 14 13
Pass Accuracy 71% 76%
Offsides 0 1
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 12 10
Corners 6 13
Total Passes 324 395
Yellow Cards 1 2
Blocked Shots 4 2
Shots on Target 5 5
xG 2.03 1.34
Shots off Target 3 3
Possession 45% 55%
Goals Prevented 0 0
Accurate Passes 231 299
Shots Inside Box 9 8
Saves 3 4
Shots Outside Box 3 2

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ The game's momentum shifted dramatically in the 60th minute when Heracles equalized through Ould Chikh, just a minute after making two substitutions.
  • ▸ Heracles sealed their victory with Kulenovic's goal in the 79th minute, which proved decisive despite Excelsior's late-game adjustments.