Groningen
Sparta Rotterdam
Match summary
Sparta Rotterdam came from behind to win 3-2 away at Groningen, with a late winner. It was 2-2 at half-time.
In the first half, Jacob Ondrejka put Groningen ahead in the first minute, Cedric Hatenboer equalised in the 15th minute, Milan Zonneveld put Sparta Rotterdam in front in the 25th minute, and Thom van Bergen equalised in the 29th minute. In the second half, Andrej Kostić won it in the 85th minute.
The chances backed that up: Sparta Rotterdam created 2.42 expected goals (xG) from 8 shots to Groningen's 2.11 from 20.
Groningen dominated possession with 59 percent of the ball and registered 20 shots against Sparta Rotterdam's 8 in this Eredivisie fixture on matchday 11. Despite controlling the tempo through 502 completed passes and generating 10 shots on target alongside an expected goals figure of 2.11, the hosts failed to secure a result. Sparta Rotterdam utilized their 41 percent possession efficiently, recording 4 shots on target from 8 total attempts and posting an expected goals total of 2.42. The visitors also led the corner count 7 to 2, while the match saw 8 fouls committed by Groningen and 14 by Sparta Rotterdam.
The action began immediately when Jacob Ondrejka scored in the 1st minute to put Groningen ahead. Tika de Jonge received a yellow card for the hosts in the 5th minute. Cedric Hatenboer equalised for Sparta Rotterdam in the 15th minute, and Milan Zonneveld added another in the 25th minute to give the visitors the lead. Thom van Bergen levelled the score for Groningen in the 29th minute, leaving the half-time score at 2-2. Bruno Martins Indi and Lushendry Edward Martes picked up yellow cards before the break and in the 61st minute respectively. Substitute Andrej Kostić scored the decisive goal in the 85th minute, sealing a 2-3 win after Cedric Hatenboer was booked in the 75th minute.
