Utrecht 4-1 Telstar: Eredivisie 2025-26 match report

Utrecht secured a dominant 4-1 victory over Telstar at Stadion Galgenwaard on Saturday, maintaining their momentum in the 2025-26 Eredivisie campaign. Under the guidance of Ron Jans, the home side utilized a structured 4-2-3-1 formation to dismantle Anthony Correia’s 3-4-2-1 setup, demonstrating superior clinical efficiency in the final third.

The opening

Utrecht signaled their intent early, establishing control through disciplined possession and vertical transitions. The breakthrough arrived in the 10th minute when M. Didden found the back of the net, capitalizing on an assist from D. de Wit. The goal provided the hosts with a settled rhythm, though the match remained competitive as Telstar looked to exploit space behind the Utrecht fullbacks.

As the first half progressed, the physical nature of the contest intensified. S. El Karouani received a yellow card in the 38th minute, a reflection of the defensive pressure required to contain Telstar’s attempts to bypass the midfield. Despite the visitors' efforts to disrupt Utrecht’s build-up play, the home side entered the interval with a narrow lead, having successfully managed the tempo of the game.

The decisive moment

The second half began with higher intensity from both sides. N. Nwankwo was cautioned for Telstar in the 48th minute before the visitors briefly leveled the score. In the 58th minute, D. Bakker converted a C. Hatenboer delivery to make it 1-1, injecting a sense of urgency into the proceedings.

However, Utrecht’s response was immediate and decisive. Just three minutes after conceding, G. Zechiël restored the home side’s advantage, finishing a move orchestrated by Y. Cathline. This goal appeared to deflate the Telstar defensive structure, which struggled to track the movement of Utrecht’s attacking quartet.

The game effectively slipped away from the visitors in the 72nd minute. D. de Wit, who had been instrumental in the opening goal, added his name to the scoresheet to extend the lead to 3-1. Following a series of tactical substitutions from both managers—including the introduction of fresh legs like Ángel Alarcón and T. Noslin—Utrecht maintained their defensive shape while continuing to probe for further openings. The final blow came in the 90th minute, when J. Karlsson scored to finalize the 4-1 scoreline, capping a comprehensive performance.

Looking ahead

The result reinforces Utrecht’s position in the Eredivisie table as they continue to demonstrate tactical flexibility under Ron Jans. For Telstar, the heavy defeat highlights the defensive vulnerabilities that coach Anthony Correia will need to address to remain competitive in the final stages of the season.