PSV looked against a deficit for a long time, but recovered in the second half. A 1-2 win over N.E.C. was achieved at the Goffert Stadium. With the three points, PSV took the lead in the Eredivisie.
Order on business
At Nijmegen's Goffertstadion, PSV started the round of 16 of the Eredivisie. The leading position was up for grabs and from the first minute they fought for the full prize. The first shot on goal came from Marco van Ginkel, the captain was well played in by Carlos Vinícius but his shot lacked power. In the opening stages, N.E.C. did not have much to say, which is why the opening goal came as a surprise. A free kick fell at Nijmegen feet and into the net. PSV had to quickly put things in order. The first to attempt that was Mauro JR, with a fierce shot from distance. Mario Götze also made a worthy attempt after extending Vinícius. The equalizer remained out for the time being.
Attempts
From PSV, the ball was regularly hurled into the sixteen-meter area. The Nijmegen block in front of goal was difficult to break through. A worthy attempt was made by Mauro JR, who curled the ball towards goal from a free kick, but goalkeeper Branderhorst was able to intervene. Bruma showed himself with a flaming shot, but it went over the goal. Cody Gakpo also came close. After a swift move he put the ball in front of the goal, but Götze was a toe short of finishing the effort. The equalizer hung in the air, but did not fall in the first half.
Search
In the second half, we needed to score. Soon sprints were drawn towards the N.E.C. goal. After some strong combinations the first big chance came from Ibrahim Sangaré. Götze laid ready and the Ivorian was able to strike, but a player from the home team stood in the way. The midfielder seemed to bring liberation for a moment, after he worked the ball into the goal out of a knock. However, he was whistled back for offside. The game got better, but a goal was still awaited.
Comeback
It came down to the closing stages, when the search was on for two goals. Ten minutes before the final signal the liberating equalizer finally fell. It was Yorbe Vertessen who got the ball on the head from a corner kick and was able to head it in. The hunt was on for that one goal to secure three points. This one came, and how. The assist seemed almost impossible, but acrobatically, substitute Maxi Romero got the ball perfectly at the feet of Vinícius, who only had to tap it in. PSV regained the lead through a beautiful goal, with an even more beautiful assist. Despite the difficult match, the full score was taken. PSV ends the weekend as leaders of the Eredivisie.
