Feyenoord 3-1 Groningen: Eredivisie 2025-26 match report

Feyenoord secured a comfortable 3–1 victory over Groningen at De Kuip on Saturday, maintaining their momentum in the Eredivisie with a clinical performance. Under the guidance of Robin van Persie, the home side demonstrated superior tactical discipline, effectively neutralizing the threat posed by Dick Lukkien’s Groningen for the majority of the contest.

The opening

Feyenoord’s approach was clear from the outset, utilizing a 4-2-3-1 formation that prioritized quick transitions and width. The breakthrough arrived in the 11th minute when J. Bos capitalized on a precise delivery from L. Valente to open the scoring. The early goal forced Groningen to adopt a more aggressive defensive posture, which quickly led to disciplinary issues.

Just ten minutes after the opener, Groningen goalkeeper E. Vaessen was cautioned by the referee. The subsequent pressure from Feyenoord proved too much for the visitors to handle in the immediate aftermath. In the 22nd minute, Feyenoord were awarded a penalty, which A. Ueda converted with composure to double the lead. By the midway point of the first half, the home side had established a two-goal cushion, effectively dictating the tempo and forcing Groningen to chase the game from a disadvantaged position.

The decisive moment

The second half began with Groningen attempting to find a foothold, but their efforts were hampered by persistent defensive lapses. D. Janse received a yellow card in the 52nd minute, signaling the frustration building within the visiting ranks. As the hour mark approached, Robin van Persie utilized his bench to manage the workload of his squad, bringing on G. Trauner and J. Bos in a double substitution in the 63rd minute.

The tactical shift paid dividends almost immediately. In the 67th minute, A. Ueda struck his second goal of the afternoon, assisted by O. Targhalline. This third goal effectively ended the match as a contest, as it pushed the deficit beyond Groningen’s reach. While Dick Lukkien attempted to inject fresh energy into his side with a series of substitutions in the 69th and 80th minutes, the damage had already been done.

Groningen did manage to find a consolation goal in the 86th minute through T. van Bergen, who converted a pass from D. Janse. However, the strike arrived too late to spark a genuine comeback. Feyenoord’s defensive structure, reinforced by the late-game arrivals of T. Watanabe, T. van den Elshout, and T. Kraaijeveld, held firm until the final whistle.

Looking ahead

The result at De Kuip serves as a significant boost for Feyenoord, solidifying their standing in the league as the season enters its final stages. For Groningen, the defeat highlights a need for greater defensive consistency if they are to improve their position in the table before the campaign concludes.