In a thrilling KNVB Cup final held on April 21, 2025, at De Kuip, Go Ahead Eagles triumphed over AZ Alkmaar after a dramatic penalty shootout, securing a 4-2 victory on penalties following a 1-1 draw after extra time. The match was filled with unexpected twists, including a bizarre start to the second half that saw AZ awarded two penalties, one of which was saved before a retake led to their only goal of the match.
The first half concluded without any goals, but both teams had their chances. Troy Parrott, who had been a key player for AZ, nearly opened the scoring in the 24th minute with a curling shot that was brilliantly saved by Go Ahead’s goalkeeper, Jari De Busser. The ball deflected off the post, leaving the score at 0-0 at halftime. Analyst Kees Kwakman praised De Busser’s performance, stating, "What a save from De Busser, who has proven to be an excellent choice since taking over as the starting keeper in the winter."
As the second half commenced, the atmosphere intensified, but it was quickly interrupted due to smoke from fireworks set off by the Go Ahead supporters. This delay set the stage for a chaotic opening ten minutes after the restart.
AZ was awarded a penalty after Joris Kramer fouled Ernest Poku. Initially, referee Danny Makkelie did not call a penalty, but following a VAR review by Rob Dieperink, he reversed his decision, announcing to the crowd that there had been a "clear foul." Troy Parrott stepped up to take the penalty but his first attempt was saved by De Busser. However, the VAR intervened again, determining that De Busser had moved off his line too early. Makkelie ordered a retake of the penalty. Parrott made no mistake on his second attempt, sending the ball into the corner of the net, giving AZ a 1-0 lead.
Despite the setback, the Eagles responded with resilience. In the 99th minute, Mats Deijl equalized for Go Ahead Eagles with a penalty of his own, awarded after a foul on Finn Stokkers. The tension in the stadium was palpable as the match headed into extra time, with both teams pushing for a decisive goal.
Throughout the extra time, both sides had their chances. AZ dominated possession but struggled to convert their opportunities, with De Busser making several key saves to keep his team in the match. The Eagles, on the other hand, were content to defend and exploit counter-attacks. In the 120th minute, AZ appealed for another penalty for a handball, but the VAR review confirmed that no foul had occurred.
After a tense 120 minutes, the match ended 1-1, leading to a penalty shootout to determine the winner. The shootout saw both teams exchanging penalties, with Mexx Meerdink scoring the first for AZ, putting them ahead 1-0. However, Go Ahead's Mats Deijl equalized immediately. Peer Koopmeiners restored AZ's lead, but Soren Tengstedt leveled the score again for the Eagles. The shootout continued with Zico Buurmeester's penalty saved by De Busser, while Milan Smit scored to give Go Ahead a 3-2 advantage. Mayckel Lahdo’s penalty was also saved, and Julius Dirksen sealed the victory for Go Ahead Eagles with the final penalty, sending the Deventer fans into a frenzy.
"We have the cup!" echoed through the streets of Deventer as fans celebrated their team's historic victory. This win marks a significant achievement for Go Ahead Eagles, who have long sought to bring home the KNVB Cup.
The aftermath of the match saw both teams reflecting on their performances. AZ's coach expressed disappointment at missing two penalties, stating, "We had our chances, but we couldn't capitalize on them when it mattered most." Meanwhile, Go Ahead's coach praised his players for their determination and resilience, saying, "This victory is a testament to the hard work and spirit of the team. They believed until the very end, and it paid off."
As the celebrations continued in Deventer, the Eagles have not only claimed the cup but also the hearts of their supporters, proving that in football, anything is possible.
