2 – 3
“Mohamed Ihattaren broke the deadlock for Fortuna Sittard with a composed left-footed finish from the center of the box, capitalising on a swift counterattack after Groningen had been pushing forward. The goal came against the run of play and immediately put the hosts on the back foot.”
Pivotal“Just nine minutes after Groningen had levelled through David van der Werff, Lequincio Zeefuik restored Fortuna's advantage with a right-footed strike from the left side of the box, punishing the hosts moments after Brynjólfur Willumsson had twice gone close from corners. It was the sucker punch that defined the match.”
Pivotal“Anthony Descotte effectively ended the contest with a right-footed strike from outside the box after Fortuna broke at pace, moments after Justin Hubner had been booked and Thom van Bergen had headed wide from a Groningen set piece. It was Fortuna's fourth shot on target and their third goal — clinical beyond measure.”
Pivotal“Justin Hubner turned the ball into his own net to give Groningen a 2-3 scoreline, offering a brief flicker of hope in the dying stages. The own goal came in chaotic circumstances following a free kick, but with just three minutes remaining it was too little, too late for the hosts.”
FC Groningen
Fortuna Sittard
Outstanding performance
Fortuna Sittard•AttackerFortuna Sittard pulled off one of the more counterintuitive results of the Eredivisie season, defeating an FC Groningen side that utterly dominated the statistical picture. Groningen finished with 68% possession, 22 shots to Fortuna's nine, and 98 dangerous attacks to a barely believable 16 — yet it was the visitors who left the Euroborg with three points. The story of the match was clinical efficiency versus wasteful dominance: Fortuna converted five of their nine shots into three goals, while Groningen managed just two shots on target all evening despite creating a wave of pressure. Lequincio Zeefuik's 28th-minute strike to restore Fortuna's lead after Groningen's brief equaliser proved the hinge of the contest, and Anthony Descotte's breakaway goal on 72 minutes effectively sealed it, leaving Groningen's late pressure — capped by Justin Hubner's unfortunate own goal — as little more than a consolation footnote. For Fortuna, this is a statement result; for Groningen, a painful lesson in converting territory into goals.
How entertaining was this match?
Moussa Gbemou from Fortuna Sittard is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
Travis Hernes from Groningen commits a foul.
Travis HernesYellow CardTravis Hernes from Groningen receives a yellow card for a foul.
Nick de Groot from Fortuna Sittard wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul committed by Thijmen Blokzijl of Groningen.
Lequincio Zeefuik from Fortuna Sittard commits a foul.
Tika de Jonge from Groningen is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
Nils Eggens from Groningen misses an attempt with a right-footed shot from a tough angle on the right, sending it high and wide to the left. He was assisted by Oskar Zawada after a corner.
Substitution for Fortuna Sittard: Moussa Gbemou comes on for Anthony Descotte.
Groningen wins a corner after Ivo Pinto concedes.
The fourth official has indicated that there will be 8 minutes of added time.
Edouard MichutYellow CardÉdouard Michut from Fortuna Sittard receives a yellow card.
Attempt missed by Oskar Zawada from Groningen, who took a right-footed shot from the center of the box.
Groningen wins a corner after Syb van Ottele concedes.
Attempt missed by Alvin Nordin from Groningen, who took a left-footed shot from the center of the box after a corner.
Delay is over, and they are ready to continue.
Etienne VaessenYellow CardEtienne Vaessen from Groningen receives a yellow card.
The match is delayed due to an injury to Thijmen Blokzijl from Groningen.
Own goal by Justin Hubner for Fortuna Sittard. The score is now Groningen 2, Fortuna Sittard 3.
Foul committed by Yassin Oukili of Fortuna Sittard.
Jacob Ondrejka from Groningen wins a free kick in the defensive half.
VAR is checking a penalty for Groningen.
Offside called against Groningen. Jacob Ondrejka is caught offside.
Substitution for Groningen: Nils Eggens comes on for Márk Csinger.
Substitution for Groningen: Alvin Nordin comes on for David van der Werff.
Delay is over, and they are ready to continue.
Substitution for Fortuna Sittard: Syb van Ottele comes on for Rodrigo Guth due to an injury.
Substitution for Groningen: Travis Hernes comes on for Wouter Prins.
Substitution for Fortuna Sittard: Yassin Oukili comes on for Shiloh 't Zand.
Delay is over, and they are ready to continue.
The match is delayed due to an injury to Rodrigo Guth from Fortuna Sittard.
The match is delayed due to an injury to Lequincio Zeefuik from Fortuna Sittard.
Jacob Ondrejka's right-footed shot from outside the box is blocked. He was assisted by Tika de Jonge.
Groningen wins a corner after Philip Brittijn concedes.
Foul committed by Anthony Descotte of Fortuna Sittard.
Pelle Clement from Groningen wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Shiloh 't Zand from Fortuna Sittard is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul committed by Wouter Prins of Groningen.
assist: Edouard Michut
Goal! Fortuna Sittard lead 3-1 against Groningen as Anthony Descotte scores with a right-footed shot from outside the box after a quick break.
Thom van Bergen from Groningen misses an attempt with a header from the center of the box, sending it too high. David van der Werff provided the assist with a cross after a set piece situation.
Justin HubnerYellow CardJustin Hubner from Fortuna Sittard receives a yellow card for a bad foul.
Foul committed by Justin Hubner of Fortuna Sittard.
Tika de Jonge from Groningen is awarded a free kick on the right wing.
Substitution for Fortuna Sittard: Nick de Groot comes on for Mohamed Ihattaren.
Offside for Fortuna Sittard. Lequincio Zeefuik is caught offside.
Jacob Ondrejka's right-footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked.
Édouard Michut from Fortuna Sittard wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul committed by Jacob Ondrejka of Groningen.
Jacob OndrejkaYellow CardJacob Ondrejka from Groningen receives a yellow card for a bad foul.
Substitution for Groningen: Jacob Ondrejka comes on for Tygo Land.
Substitution for Groningen: Oskar Zawada comes on for Brynjólfur Willumsson.
Édouard Michut from Fortuna Sittard wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul committed by Jorg Schreuders of Groningen.
Fortuna Sittard wins a corner after Tika de Jonge concedes.
Attempt blocked. Shiloh 't Zand from Fortuna Sittard has a right-footed shot from outside the box that is blocked. Mohamed Ihattaren provided the assist.
Lequincio Zeefuik from Fortuna Sittard wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul committed by Thijmen Blokzijl of Groningen.
Attempt blocked. Brynjólfur Willumsson's header from the center of the box for Groningen is blocked.
Attempt missed by Thom van Bergen from Groningen, who took a right-footed shot from the center of the box.
Thom van Bergen from Groningen is caught offside.
Attempt missed. Tika de Jonge from Groningen had a header from the center of the box that was close but went just to the right. David van der Werff assisted with a cross following a corner.
Groningen is awarded a corner after Justin Hubner concedes.
Groningen wins a corner after Shiloh 't Zand concedes.
Thom van Bergen from Groningen has his right-footed shot from the center of the box saved by Mattijs Branderhorst in the center of the goal. The attempt was assisted by Tika de Jonge.
Attempt saved. Anthony Descotte from Fortuna Sittard has a left-footed shot from the left side of the box, but it's saved in the center of the goal by Etienne Vaessen from Groningen. The shot was assisted by Édouard Michut.
Édouard Michut from Fortuna Sittard wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul committed by Tygo Land of Groningen.
Attempt missed by Thom van Bergen from Groningen, who headed the ball from the center of the box.
Thom van Bergen from Groningen hits the woodwork with a header from the center of the box.
Attempt blocked. Édouard Michut's right-footed shot from the center of the box is blocked. Mohamed Ihattaren provided the assist.
Attempt blocked. Mohamed Ihattaren from Fortuna Sittard has a left-footed shot from the center of the box that is blocked.
Fortuna Sittard wins a corner after Thijmen Blokzijl concedes.
The second half begins with Groningen trailing Fortuna Sittard 1-2.
The fourth official has indicated there will be 1 minute of added time.
Thijmen Blokzijl from Groningen misses an attempt with a header from the center of the box, sending it too high. He was assisted by David van der Werff, who provided a cross after a corner.
Jorg Schreuders from Groningen has a right-footed shot from outside the box, but it is blocked. Thijmen Blokzijl provided the assist.
Groningen has been awarded a corner after Justin Hubner conceded it.
First half ends with Groningen trailing 1-2 against Fortuna Sittard.
Delay is over, and they are ready to continue.
The match is delayed due to an injury to Márk Csinger from Groningen.
Attempt missed by Tygo Land from Groningen with a right-footed shot from outside the box.
Thom van Bergen from Groningen is caught offside.
Attempt missed. Tika de Jonge from Groningen takes a left-footed shot from outside the box.
Foul committed by Anthony Descotte of Fortuna Sittard.
Tygo Land from Groningen is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul committed by Ivo Pinto of Fortuna Sittard.
Thom van Bergen from Groningen is awarded a free kick on the left wing.
Attempt missed. Anthony Descotte from Fortuna Sittard takes a right-footed shot from outside the box after a fast break.
Attempt missed by Thom van Bergen from Groningen, who took a right-footed shot from the right side of the box.
assist: Edouard Michut
Goal! Fortuna Sittard takes a 2-1 lead with Lequincio Zeefuik scoring from the left side of the box with a right-footed shot.
Attempt missed. Brynjólfur Willumsson from Groningen had a header from the left side of the six-yard box after a corner.
Groningen wins a corner after Philip Brittijn concedes.
Attempt missed. Brynjólfur Willumsson from Groningen takes a right-footed shot from the center of the box.
Attempt saved. Shiloh 't Zand from Fortuna Sittard has a left-footed shot from the left side of the box that is saved.
Foul committed by Édouard Michut of Fortuna Sittard.
Thom van Bergen from Groningen is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
Goal! The score is now Groningen 1, Fortuna Sittard 1. David van der Werff scores for Groningen with a right-footed shot from the center of the box.
assist: Lequincio Zeefuik
Goal! Fortuna Sittard takes the lead 1-0 with Mohamed Ihattaren scoring from the center of the box with a left-footed shot after a quick counterattack.
Thom van Bergen's right-footed shot from outside the box is blocked. The attempt was assisted by Brynjólfur Willumsson.
Lequincio Zeefuik from Fortuna Sittard wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Márk Csinger from Groningen commits a foul.
Attempt missed by David van der Werff from Groningen, who took a left-footed shot from outside the box.
Rodrigo Guth from Fortuna Sittard commits a foul.
Rodrigo GuthYellow CardRodrigo Guth from Fortuna Sittard receives a yellow card for a foul.
Thom van Bergen from Groningen wins a free kick in the attacking half.
First half begins.
FC Groningen host Fortuna Sittard at the Euroborg on Friday night, with both sides desperate to bounce back from heavy defeats last weekend. Groningen were thrashed 5-1 by PSV while Fortuna crumbled to a 2-0 home loss against AZ — and Fortuna must also cope without suspended striker Ole Romeny, making this a fascinating early-season clash between two wounded teams.
