Feyenoord showcased their superiority on the pitch with a commanding 5-2 victory over Heracles Almelo during Matchday 16 of the Eredivisie on December 14, 2024. This match, held at the iconic De Kuip stadium, was highlighted by Santiago Giménez's incredible performance, where he netted a historic hat-trick before halftime.
From the outset, Feyenoord aimed to build on their recent successes, including a triumphant 4-2 home win against Sparta Prague just days prior. Facing Heracles, who are struggling at the bottom of the league table, Feyenoord seized the opportunity to secure three invaluable points. Notably, the visitors included two Feyenoord loan players, adding extra narrative to the encounter.
The opening goal came as no surprise when Giménez, the 23-year-old Mexican forward, scored the first of his three goals at the 31-minute mark. Rising above defenders, he executed a precise header following a corner kick taken by Stengs, igniting the home crowd's excitement.
Just five minutes later, Giménez doubled his tally by converting from the penalty spot. After being fouled inside the box due to sloppy defending from Heracles, he confidently placed the ball low to the left, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way. It was clear; Feyenoord was dominating the match.
With just seconds left before the halftime whistle, Giménez completed his hat-trick, bringing the score to 3-1. Following a rapid counter-attack, he found himself unmarked and headed home another quality delivery, ensuring he left the pitch at halftime with three goals to his name.
This hat-trick marks not only Giménez's first of the season but also the third since joining Feyenoord, solidifying his reputation as one of the league's top strikers. His impressive streak of six goals this season places him firmly within the top ranks of the Eredivisie scoring charts, and he is certainly one to watch as the season progresses.
Despite Feyenoord's commanding first-half lead, the second half proved to be slightly more chaotic. David Hancko added to the scoreline at the 49-minute mark, tapping the ball comfortably past Heracles' goalkeeper after receiving an excellent setup, extending the lead to 4-1.
Heracles did manage to inject some life back onto the pitch when Shiloh 't Zand, another player with Feyenoord links, pounced on a defensive error by Feyenoord's keeper, Wellenreuther, to pull one back shortly before the break.
The game saw moments of drama as well. Heracles scored again through Hoogma, who headed home from a set-piece. Yet it was too little too late for the visitors, as Feyenoord's momentum had already carried them to victory.
Feyenoord maintained their intensity, and the match came to its conclusion with Podgoreanu inadvertently scoring an own goal, sealing the 5-2 triumph for the home side.
With this win, Feyenoord now stands on 35 points, momentarily placing them third on the Eredivisie table, trailing leaders PSV by seven points. The spirited and decisive performance reaffirms Feyenoord's aspirations for European competition next season.
Giménez, following his comeback from injury, has been pivotal for the team, demonstrating quality on both domestic and international stages. After helping secure key results, including goals against strong opponents like Manchester City, his value to the team has never been clearer. With the hat-trick against Heracles, he reestablished himself not just as Feyenoord's offensive leader but also as one of Mexico's standout footballers on the European stage.
Feyenoord's next challenge will be to build on this victory as they aim to solidify their position within the Eredivisie and make strides toward the playoffs of the UEFA Champions League. For now, the fans can relish this outstanding performance and reflect on the brilliance displayed by Santiago Giménez. This match not only showcased the strength of Feyenoord as they fought for top table positioning, but it also symbolized the power of teamwork and individual brilliance on the pitch.