Feyenoord has made a powerful statement in the Eredivisie, securing a dominant 4-0 victory over PEC Zwolle on April 25, 2025, at their home ground, De Kuip. This win marks their sixth consecutive triumph in the league, which keeps them firmly in the race for a top-three finish.
With this victory, Feyenoord maintains a three-point lead over FC Utrecht, who also won their match earlier in the day against RKC with a score of 3-0. The Rotterdam club has now officially qualified for European football, guaranteeing at least a fourth-place finish in the league. However, they are still eyeing the third spot, which would grant them access to the Champions League preliminary round. Currently, they trail PSV by five points, and a crucial match against the Eindhoven club is scheduled for May 11, 2025, in De Kuip.
The match against PEC Zwolle was preceded by a minute of silence to honor the late Leo Beenhakker, a significant figure in Dutch football. The atmosphere was electric as fans filled the stands, eager to see their team build on their recent successes.
Feyenoord's early momentum was almost thwarted when Eliano Reijnders of PEC Zwolle struck the crossbar just minutes into the game. However, it was Feyenoord who broke the deadlock in the 14th minute when Ayase Ueda found the net after receiving a well-placed pass from Jakub Moder. Ueda's goal set the tone for the remainder of the match.
Just eight minutes later, the home team doubled their lead. PEC's goalkeeper, Jasper Schendelaar, made a critical error while attempting to clear the ball, inadvertently kicking it against his own player, Antoni Milambo. The ball ricocheted back into the goal, marking Milambo's first goal of the night and bringing the score to 2-0.
Feyenoord continued to capitalize on their opponents' mistakes, and in the 25th minute, Igor Paixão scored the third goal of the match, assisted by Milambo. This goal was particularly significant as it marked Paixão's thirteenth goal in the Eredivisie this season.
As the second half commenced, Feyenoord seemed to take their foot off the gas, but they still managed to add another goal in the 79th minute. Once again, Milambo was instrumental, setting up Paixão for a well-placed shot that found the back of the net, finalizing the score at 4-0.
Despite the comfortable win, Feyenoord's defense was put to the test, with Trauner receiving a yellow card early in the second half. This card means he will miss the upcoming match against Heracles Almelo due to suspension.
Feyenoord's coach, Robin van Persie, expressed satisfaction with the team's performance, noting the importance of maintaining their position in the league standings. "We need to keep our focus as we approach the final matches of the season," he stated in a post-match interview.
Antoni Milambo, who played a pivotal role in the victory, commented on his performance, saying, "I prefer to play in a more attacking role, and tonight I was able to contribute significantly to the team's success." His dynamic play was crucial in both setting up goals and maintaining pressure on the Zwolle defense.
Looking ahead, Feyenoord will be keen to build on this momentum as they prepare for their upcoming fixtures. The match against PSV on May 11 looms large, and a win could significantly alter the landscape of the Eredivisie title race.
As it stands, Feyenoord has proven that they are a force to be reckoned with in Dutch football, and their sights are firmly set on securing not just a Champions League spot but potentially challenging for the league title itself. Fans will be eagerly anticipating the next match, hoping for continued success as the season draws to a close.
