Sparta Rotterdam celebrated a resounding 4-0 victory over Willem II at Het Kasteel, significantly boosting their chances of avoiding relegation from the Eredivisie. This win sees Sparta close the gap on their opponents, now only one point behind them on the league table.
The match saw goals from Tobias Lauritsen, who netted two, as well as Mitchell van Bergen and Kristian Hlynsson, making it a memorable afternoon for the home side. For Van Bergen, this was particularly poignant as it marked his first official goal since April 2021.
The clash was significant for both teams; with Sparta sitting 16th and Willem II just above them at 15th, the stakes were high. Sparta capitalized on their home advantage, showcasing determination from the outset. They opened the scoring early when goalkeeper Nick Olij launched the ball to Lauritsen, who expertly maneuvered past his marker and struck firmly to put Sparta 1-0 up.
While the score at halftime was only 1-0, much of this can be attributed to the impressive performance of Willem II's keeper, Thomas Didillon-Hödl, who made several key saves. Despite these challenges, Sparta maintained their momentum as the second half commenced.
Van Bergen, who had not scored for almost four years, ignited celebrations when he doubled the lead on the 63rd minute. Dribbling confidently within the penalty area, he found the back of the net, marking his long-awaited return to scoring form. "It’s been too long, and I’m glad to help my team today," Van Bergen said post-match, thrilled to have broken his scoring drought.
Just five minutes later, Lauritsen struck again, heading home from Van Bergen’s thoughtful cross to make it 3-0. Lauritsen’s performance was impressive, bringing his season tally to seven goals, and he remarked on the team's spirit: "We played as one unit today, and it showed on the field."
To cap off the scoring, Ajax-loanee Kristian Hlynsson scored the fourth goal deep in stoppage time, firing powerfully to the top corner, leaving Didillon-Hödl with no chance. This picturesque goal sealed the match and sent the home crowd at Het Kasteel home beaming.
Sparta’s coach, Maurice Steijn, expressed his satisfaction with the performance, acknowledging the importance of the three points. "This victory was necessary for our confidence and sets us up nicely for the next matches," he noted during the post-match interviews.
Following this win, Sparta will face challenging encounters against NAC Breda and PEC Zwolle, two teams also fighting to secure their positions and stay out of the relegation battle. Meanwhile, Willem II's upcoming matches against FC Utrecht and Go Ahead Eagles will be equally as demanding, as they seek to avoid slipping down the table.
The match showed the quality and potential of Sparta, particularly as they have amassed several points throughout the year after previously struggling. This reflects positively as they aim to distance themselves from the relegation zone. The team's determination was palpable, and as they continue to stack victories, the resilience of this side under Steijn's stewardship is clear.
With the season heating up, every point counts and Sparta is poised to climb higher if they keep this form. The impressive home display could be just the tonic they need to face their future opponents with renewed vigor and belief.