On the evening of February 26, 2023, PSV Eindhoven faced off against Go Ahead Eagles in the semifinals of the TOTO KNVB Cup, held at the storied Philips Stadion. It was a significant match for both teams, with PSV eyeing another trophy and Go Ahead Eagles yearning to reach their first final since 1965. The atmosphere was electric, as supporters from Deventer traveled to Eindhoven, hoping to witness history.
PSV entered the match on the back of impressive performances, having triumphed over Koninklijke HFC (8-0), Excelsior (5-4 after extra time), and Feyenoord (2-0) to reach this stage. Coach Peter Bosz emphasized the importance of the cup as the team aimed for more silverware, having already clinched their eleventh KNVB Beker trophy earlier this season. Nonetheless, the squad's recent league form posed questions, as PSV secured only one win out of their last six matches. The team would have to step up to avoid being on the wrong side of another upset.
On the roster, PSV was missing key players, such as Malik Tillman, Sergiño Dest, and Ricardo Pepi, all sidelined due to various injuries. This situation opened doors for substitutes and demanded even more from the remaining players. Tyrell Malacia stepped up to replace Mauro Júnior, who was also nursing injury issues. The match promised drama right from the start, with fans buzzing with anticipation.
Go Ahead Eagles had their own history to think about, having reached the cup finals once before, back in 1965. This season, they achieved significant victories against Sparta Rotterdam (on penalties), FC Twente (3-1), and Noordwijk (3-1) to earn their semifinal spot. The team, under the guidance of coach Paul Simonis, focused on maintaining their momentum as they confronted the much-favored PSV.
“Yes, I believe it would be more special,” remarked Eagles captain Mats Deijl when anticipating the significance of clinching the cup over European competition. The team's seventh-place standing in the league indicated their upward momentum, offering hope and confidence amid the historical weight of the tournament.
The kickoff set off the excitement as Go Ahead Eagles quickly made their mark. Within the first half, they took the lead, stunning the home crowd. Gerrit Nauber opened the scoring at the 25th minute with a powerful header from a corner kick, giving the Eagles hope of pulling off the upset. Just two minutes later, Victor Edvardsen doubled the lead, leaving PSV fans desperate for answers.
PSV pushed for responses, with their star forward Luuk de Jong and substitutes, including Ivan Perisic and Noa Lang, working to crack the Eagles' defense. Despite persistent pressure, Jari De Busser, the Eagles' goalkeeper, came up big, making several key saves to deny the home side, including stopping efforts from De Jong and Perisic.
On the heels of the halftime whistle, Go Ahead Eagles maintained their commanding 2-0 lead, leaving the Eindhoven giants to rethink their strategy. The second half began with the urgency of the situation weighing heavily on PSV. With substitutions made to invigorate the team, the need for goals became even more pressing.
Despite PSV’s attempts to claw back, Go Ahead Eagles defended resolutely. The match reached nail-biting moments as Ivan Perisic finally found the back of the net at the 59th minute, reigniting hopes for the 5-time KNVB cup winners. Tension filled the air as the possibility of additional time lurked, yet Go Ahead maintained their composure.
With the match entering its final minutes, PSV was awarded a controversial penalty after Nauber was deemed to have handled the ball, bringing the game to even greater heights. The decision prompted protests from the Eagles' players, yet the referee was unmoved. A tense atmosphere enveloped the stadium as the ball was placed on the spot.
PSV sought to level the score and push for victory, but their efforts faltered amid mounting pressure from the Eagles' fans. The match concluded with Go Ahead Eagles sealing their historic win — triumphing 2-1 against PSV. Their remarkable success sent waves of jubilation through the Deventer faithful, who celebrated their team reaching the finals for the first time since 1965.
The semifinals showcased an unforgettable clash, illustrating the unpredictable nature of cup competitions, where dreams are realized and histories rewritten. Go Ahead Eagles, the underdogs, marched triumphantly toward the final, ready to seize the opportunity to create new memories. On April 21, they would face either Heracles Almelo or AZ, hoping to carve their name more prominently on the KNVB Cup trophy.