NEC Nijmegen delivered an emphatic 4-1 victory over Heracles at the Goffertstadion, continuing their promising Eredivisie campaign. The home side took control early, with Bryan Linssen opening the scoring in the 17th minute thanks to a well-timed pass from Philippe Sandler. Although Heracles responded quickly through Lequincio Zeefuik in the 23rd minute, NEC's dominance was evident throughout the match.
Linssen Leads the Charge with Early Goal
The first half saw a flurry of action as NEC and Heracles traded early blows. Linssen's opener was soon followed by Zeefuik's equalizer, assisted by Naci Ünüvar. However, Tjaronn Chery restored the lead for NEC just before halftime, capitalizing on a precise delivery from Noe Lebreton.
Penalty and VAR Drama Define Second Half
The momentum remained with NEC after the break. Başar Önal converted a penalty in the 57th minute to extend their advantage. Heracles thought they had pulled one back in the 68th minute, but Sava Cestic's goal was disallowed after a VAR review. NEC sealed their triumph with a late goal from Lebreton in the 90th minute.
Statistical Domination Reflects NEC's Superiority
NEC showcased their superiority with 68% ball possession and a total of 15 shots, six of which were on target. Their accuracy in passing was remarkable, completing 87% of their 497 passes. Conversely, Heracles struggled to penetrate NEC's defense, managing only two shots on target throughout the game.
Closing Thoughts and Future Prospects
This victory extends NEC's strong form, having earned substantial points in their recent fixtures. Linssen's performance, highlighted by his opening goal, sets a positive tone as they look to climb the Eredivisie standings. Despite recent struggles, Heracles must regroup quickly as they continue to search for form in the latter stages of the season.
