Excelsior Rotterdam secured an impressive 3-0 away victory over Willem II in Tilburg. The team coached by Ruben den Uil was superior from the start and put the home side under immediate pressure.
A report in De Telegraaf stated David Garden opened the scoring in the eighth minute. Irakli Yegoian provided the assist for this early goal. Before halftime, Rick Meissen doubled the lead from a corner kick. It was his first-ever goal in the Eredivisie. In the closing stages, in the 85th minute, Yegoian scored the third and decisive goal himself.
How did the match in Tilburg unfold?
Excelsior started the match in Tilburg with high energy and was rewarded immediately. The early goal from Garden put Willem II on the back foot right away. The home team never really became dangerous. Excelsior controlled the midfield and created the best chances. The second goal before the break, scored by Meissen, gave the Rotterdam side a comfortable lead going into the dressing room. In the second half, Excelsior remained the better team and Yegoian put the finishing touch on the win with his late strike.
What does this win mean for the league table?
With this victory, Excelsior now has nine points from four matches. The club is provisionally in fourth place in the Eredivisie. The current standings show Excelsior in ninth place with six points from three games. The team has won twice and lost once. They have scored seven goals and conceded three, resulting in a goal difference of plus four. Leaders AZ Alkmaar hold a six-point advantage at the top.
What are the next steps for Excelsior?
The team must quickly focus on the next challenge. In just two days, on September 8, 2026, an away match against NEC Nijmegen awaits. That opponent is currently seventh in the league. It is an important match in the early phase of the season. The full schedule can be found on the fixtures page. Coach Ruben den Uil will have to consider his selection after this effort. The Excelsior squad has enough quality to also take points against NEC.
The 3-0 win in Tilburg highlights Excelsior's good form at the start of this season. The next test is the away match against NEC Nijmegen on September 8.
