Match report

Utrecht Defeats Groningen 2-1 in Eredivisie Clash

Groningen
Groningen
1–2
FT
Utrecht
Utrecht
Feb 14, 2026

In an intense Eredivisie encounter, Utrecht managed to turn around a 0-1 deficit to secure a vital victory against Groningen with crucial second-half goals from De Wit and Karlsson, despite Taha's early lead for the home team.

Key Facts

  • • Groningen took an early lead through Y. Taha (52') assisted by T. Mercera
  • • Utrecht equalized with a goal from D. de Wit (79'), assisted by G. Zechiel
  • • Jesper Karlsson scored the winning goal for Utrecht in stoppage time (90')
  • • Groningen made multiple substitutions, including M. Rente (46'), D. van der Werff (79'), Marvin Peersman (85'), T. Land (85'), and Thom van Bergen (85')

Lineups

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)
  • 17 D. van der Werff (M)
  • 18 T. Land (M)
  • 6 S. Resink (M)
  • 14 J. Schreuders (M)
  • 10 Y. Taha (F)
  • 26 T. van Bergen (F)

Substitutes

  • 13 L. Stubljar
  • 21 H. Jurjus
  • 2 W. Prins
  • 7 T. Hernes
  • 9 B. Willumsson
  • 16 T. Mercera
  • 19 O. Zawada
  • 22 S. Bouland
  • 27 R. Mendes
  • 34 R. Metu

Utrecht

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Starting XI

  • 1 V. Barkas (G)
  • 23 N. Vesterlund (D)
  • 40 M. Didden (D)
  • 3 M. van der Hoorn (D)
  • 16 S. El Karouani (D)
  • 27 A. Engwanda (M)
  • 21 G. Zechiel (M)
  • 77 A. Alarcon (M)
  • 20 D. de Wit (M)
  • 10 Y. Cathline (M)
  • 18 A. Stepanov (F)

Substitutes

  • 25 M. Brouwer
  • 33 K. Gadellaa
  • 5 E. Adiele
  • 8 C. Bozdogan
  • 9 D. Min
  • 11 J. Karlsson
  • 15 A. Blake
  • 22 M. Rodriguez
  • 24 N. Viergever
  • 38 O. Agougil
  • 46 J. van Ommeren
  • 53 N. Viereck

Timeline

  1. Utrecht
    9' Utrecht Card · Yellow Card
    G. Zechiel

    Foul

  2. Groningen
    46' Groningen subst · Substitution 1
    Off: M. Rente · On: T. Mercera
  3. Groningen
    52' Groningen Goal · Normal Goal
    Y. Taha · Assist: T. Mercera
  4. Utrecht
    62' Utrecht subst · Substitution 1
    Off: A. Alarcon · On: Miguel Rodríguez
  5. Utrecht
    73' Utrecht subst · Substitution 2
    Off: A. Stepanov · On: D. Min
  6. Utrecht
    73' Utrecht subst · Substitution 3
    Off: Y. Cathline · On: Jesper Karlsson
  7. Groningen
    79' Groningen subst · Substitution 2
    Off: D. van der Werff · On: O. Zawada
  8. Utrecht
    79' Utrecht Goal · Normal Goal
    D. de Wit · Assist: G. Zechiel
  9. Groningen
    85' Groningen subst · Substitution 3
    Off: Marvin Peersman · On: W. Prins
  10. Groningen
    85' Groningen subst · Substitution 4
    Off: T. Land · On: T. Hernes
  11. Groningen
    85' Groningen subst · Substitution 5
    Off: Thom van Bergen · On: R. Metu
  12. Utrecht
    86' Utrecht subst · Substitution 4
    Off: A. Engwanda · On: O. Agougil
  13. Utrecht
    90' Utrecht Goal · Normal Goal
    Jesper Karlsson

Match Stats

Stat Groningen Utrecht
Fouls 12 6
Pass Accuracy 80% 82%
Offsides 2 3
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 11 15
Corners 2 8
Total Passes 419 451
Yellow Cards 0 1
Blocked Shots 2 6
Shots on Target 2 7
xG 0.78 2.44
Shots off Target 7 2
Possession 48% 52%
Goals Prevented 0 0
Accurate Passes 337 370
Shots Inside Box 4 12
Saves 5 1
Shots Outside Box 7 3

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ Utrecht's determination was highlighted by their equalizing goal from D. de Wit in the 79th minute, setting up a dramatic finish.
  • ▸ The turning point of the game came with Jesper Karlsson’s stoppage time goal which sealed Utrecht's victory and handed them three crucial points.