On the evening of January 22, 2025, the atmosphere at De Kuip was electric as Feyenoord faced off against Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League. The match began amid pyrotechnics and smoke, causing a brief delay but setting the stage for what turned out to be a historic upset for the Dutch side.
Feyenoord, needing to make their mark after shaky performances, came out with surprising intensity against the Bundesliga giants. The opening goal came from Santiago Jimenez, who showcased his skill by capitalizing on Bayern’s defensive lapse. Sliding between defenders Kim Min-Jae and Alphonso Davies, Jimenez unleashed a powerful shot past Bayern's keeper, Sven Ulreich, putting Feyenoord 1-0 up just 21 minutes in.
Despite Bayern having the weight of talent on their side, they struggled to find their rhythm. Kingsley Coman, often the driving force for the Bavarians, strove to create opportunities and had several chances to level the score. His curling attempts were expertly handled by Feyenoord's standout goalkeeper, Justin Bijlow, who continuously frustrated Bayern's forwards with impressive saves throughout the first half.
The game took another turn just before halftime. A swift counterattack from Feyenoord ended with Igor Paixão being fouled by Bayern's Raphael Guerreiro, resulting in a penalty kick. Jimenez stepped up again and coolly slotted the ball home, doubling the lead and sending the home crowd mammoth cheers. With his second goal of the match, it became clear Feyenoord was not just hoping to compete, but to win.
Entering the second half, Bayern made adjustments, intent on clawing back. Manager Vincent Kompany brought on Leroy Sané to inject some much-needed pace. The visitors steadily upped the ante but were met with staunch resistance from Bijlow and his defenders. Bayern's frustrations grew palpable as their advances repeatedly foundered—Harry Kane narrowly missed with a near-point-blank shot, blocked dramatically by David Hancko, and Leroy Sané’s header hit the post, adding to their woes.
Meanwhile, Feyenoord remained resolute, confident under the mounting pressure. Their defensive organization was commendable, and they persisted with swift counterattacks. With just minutes left on the clock, Ayase Ueda, coming off the bench, made his mark by finishing another breakaway move, sliding the ball past Manuel Neuer and effectively sealing the match with the score at 3-0. The jubilation from the home crowd echoed throughout Rotterdam as they celebrated this monumental victory.
This loss for Bayern marks another chapter of disappointment for the Bundesliga champions, who have struggled this season with five losses, mirroring each other with defensive errors and missed opportunities. Critics highlighted the lack of chemistry and coordination among the players, exacerbated by a congested schedule. With the Champions League knockout stage on the horizon, Bayern will need to regroup quickly to restore their confidence.
Meanwhile, Feyenoord’s triumph lifted them to 13 points and re-energized hopes within their camp. Justin Bijlow’s performance was particularly noted, with seven saves and clean sheet; he was rightly deemed the hero of the match. His efforts kept Feyenoord's dreams alive, presenting them as formidable contenders even among Europe’s elite.
The match certainly set the tone for the remainder of the Champions League campaign, leaving both teams reflecting on their respective paths forward: Feyenoord, jubilant and renewed, and Bayern, pensive and challenged to overcome their recent hurdles.