FC Utrecht finally broke their winless streak with a narrow 1-0 victory over NAC Breda on March 1, 2025, at Stadion Galgenwaard, marking their first win in over one and a half months. This much-needed triumph came courtesy of Oscar Fraulo, who scored the only goal of the match after an hour of play, helping the team climb temporarily to third place in the Eredivisie standings.
Throughout the match, FC Utrecht showcased their desire to end the drought, putting considerable pressure on NAC. Coach Ron Jans’ team drew energy from their home crowd, but the first half saw limited effectiveness as their efforts to break through NAC's defense frequently fell short. Despite owning the field, they failed to capitalize on key opportunities. NAC's defense, led by players like Maxime Busi, held firm against their opponents' advances.
One of the highlights of the first half came when Utrecht’s Sébastien Haller attempted what could have been the goal of the year with an impressive bicycle kick, which was thwarted at the last second by NAC's defenders. Despite Utrecht’s sustained dominance and several promising chances, including one from Paxten Aaronson who shot wide, the team could not find the back of the net before halftime.
Coming back stronger after the break, Utrecht ramped up their offensive efforts. The first opportunity came for David Min, whose attempt was expertly saved by NAC goalkeeper Daniel Bielica. On the other end, NAC nearly made it onto the scoreboard themselves, as Sydney van Hooijdonk forced Utrecht's keeper Vasilios Barkas to make yet another impressive save.
Utrecht continued to be the dominant force, pushing for the much-desired goal. Their persistence finally paid off when Oscar Fraulo, following up on Haller’s rebound off the post, slotted the ball home, bringing the score to 1-0. The goal breathed new life to the home crowd, who had been anxiously waiting for their team to convert chances.
Despite their best efforts, NAC could not respond effectively after conceding. Carl Hoefkens’ squad, struggling with performances post-winter break, failed to capitalize on the few chances they created. An attempt by Dominik Janosek went disappointingly wide as NAC sought to intensify pressure on the Utrecht defense, desperate to level the score.
Eventually, the match concluded with Utrecht taking all three points. This win marks their first since November 8 against Heracles, igniting hopes among fans for the team to regain consistent form. Meanwhile, NAC, now sitting 11th on the league table, faces another test this coming Friday against Sparta Rotterdam as they struggle to climb out of the lower half.
The match not only had significant ramifications for each team's standings but also showcased the unwavering spirit of Utrecht as they strive to improve their season and the rallying support from their fanbase.
This match will be remembered as not just the end of Utrecht's long dry spell, but also as another step for the club's resurgence as they aim to consolidate their position among the top teams of the Eredivisie.