PEC Zwolle vs NEC Nijmegen
The Eredivisie served up a high-stakes thriller on August 29, 2026, as PEC Zwolle hosted NEC Nijmegen in a match defined by constant VAR intervention and an extraordinary sequence of penalties. Both sides fought through a chaotic narrative where momentum shifted with every whistle and every review.
Early Penalty Double for Nijmegen
The drama ignited almost immediately. In the 3rd minute, PEC Zwolle goalkeeper Jasper Schendelaar tripped Tjaronn Chery, leading to a VAR-confirmed penalty. Chery stepped up and confidently converted with his left foot to give the visitors an early lead. The pressure from NEC Nijmegen didn't stop there; by the 22nd minute, Sherel Floranus was penalized for a handball in the box. After another lengthy VAR check, Tjaronn Chery doubled his tally from the spot, coolly sending the keeper the wrong way to make it 0-2.
PEC Zwolle thought they had clawed one back before the 40-minute mark through Elias Soerensen, but the goal was chalked off following a VAR review for offside. The hosts finally found their breakthrough just before halftime when Deveron Fonville fouled Dylan Mbayo in the area. Koen Kostons took responsibility for the penalty and clinicaly finished into the corner, giving the home fans hope as they headed into the break trailing 1-2.
Missed Chances and the Final Blow
The second half was a story of frustration for the hosts. Koen Kostons had a second goal of the night ruled out by VAR for offside in the 61st minute, maintaining the narrow lead for NEC Nijmegen. The tension reached a breaking point in the 72nd minute when Jamiro Monteiro conceded yet another penalty for a trip on Ibrahim Cissoko. However, Kostons went from hero to heartbreak as his powerful effort rattled off the crossbar and stayed out.
With the hosts demoralized by the miss, NEC Nijmegen capitalized to secure the result. In the 83rd minute, veteran playmaker Dusan Tadic swung in a perfect corner, finding the head of substitute Perr Schuurs, who powered his effort home to seal a 1-3 victory. Despite a flurry of late yellow cards and frantic attacking play from Zwolle, the visitors held firm to take all three points in a match that will be remembered for its officiating drama.
