Feyenoord won the KNVB Cup for the fourteenth time on Sunday. The Rotterdammers were too strong for NEC in De Kuip with 1-0 in a final battle marred by fireworks.
In the second half, the throwing of fireworks even led to a fire in the canal between the NEC goal of keeper Jasper Cillessen and the boxes with the fanatical Feyenoord supporters. Due to the unsafe situation, the final was halted for twenty minutes.
On the other hand, NEC fans also set off fireworks. That caused a lot of smoke in the first half, but then the players stayed on the field.
At the time of the stoppage in the 56th minute, Feyenoord was stronger. That remained the case after the resumption and in the 58th minute it led to the 1-0 by Igor Paixão. As a result, the final seemed as good as decided, but due to a second yellow card and therefore a red card for Yankuba Minteh, it became even more exciting. Feyenoord struggled to hold on and won the cup, while NEC was left empty-handed in the fifth cup final in the club’s history.
With the cup win, Feyenoord lived up to the role of favourites, but in the first half NEC was surprisingly strong. Coach Rogier Meijer’s team took the initiative and had the first good chance. A header by Youri Baas, assisted by Bart van Rooij, was turned away by goalkeeper Timon Wellenreuther. Moments later, Kodai Sano shot a meter wide from distance.
In the meantime, the fans of NEC also asserted themselves, although that was not always positive. After massive fireworks were set off by the Nijmegen supporters, the final was even stopped for a while. Coach Arne Slot used the moment to instruct the Feyenoord players once again.
Still, NEC was strong even after the resumption. The supporters of the number six of the Eredivisie cheered after half an hour, but Tjaronn Chery’s goal was disallowed for offside.
After that, there was finally a good opportunity for Feyenoord, who had previously failed to get any further than attempts from distance. Ramiz Zerrouki shot over in a promising position in the 32nd minute.
At the start of the second half, Feyenoord became stronger. Paixão tried with a kick and Santiago Giménez also made his presence felt offensively. Things looked good for the Rotterdammers, until the game had to be stopped for a longer period of time in the 56th minute. Another fireworks, this time from the Feyenoord supporters, had caused a fire in the canal behind the goal of NEC keeper Jasper Cillessen.
The situation was quickly under control, although it took twenty minutes for the game to resume. Shortly afterwards, it was a hit for Feyenoord. A nice attack came via Calvin Stengs and Giménez to Paixão, who immediately lashed out. The ball went in via the post (1-0).
When Geertruida scored moments later, the final seemed to be decided. De Kuip cheered, but the goal was disallowed for offside. NEC could continue to dream, especially when Minteh picked up a yellow card in the 71st and 72nd and the home team had to continue with ten men.
NEC went all out and had chances. Substitute Sylla Sow should have made it 1-1, but the substitute’s attempt went wide. In the closing stages, Jasper Cillessen even went forward at a corner, but Feyenoord escaped. It was Thomas Beelen who threw himself in front of a shot by Philippe Sandler.
Feyenoord survived NEC’s offensive and after almost ten minutes of extra time, the Rotterdam fans in De Kuip were able to celebrate. With the cup win, the team has a prize after the national title last year, while NEC still has to work in the Eredivisie and the play-offs to reach European football.