“Feyenoord’s quality began to shine through,” commented a representative following the team’s hard-fought 2-1 victory over Excelsior on March 15, 2026, at De Kuip in Rotterdam.
The match was pivotal for both teams, with Feyenoord aiming for European qualification and Excelsior battling against relegation. Excelsior initially took the lead in the first half with a goal from Arthur Zagre, putting pressure on the home side.
However, Feyenoord responded strongly in the second half, with Ayase Ueda scoring both of their goals, turning the tide of the match. This victory brought Feyenoord’s points tally to 52 after 27 matches, while Excelsior remained in 15th place with 26 points.
Prior to this match, Feyenoord had a positive goal difference of +21, while Excelsior struggled with a negative goal difference of -18. The historical context of this derby also favored Feyenoord, who had won their last five encounters against Excelsior.
The atmosphere was tense, with Feyenoord supporters displaying banners calling for the resignation of head coach Robin van Persie, reflecting the mounting pressure on him as the season progresses. “The defeat was another blow in a season full of hard knocks,” noted a source close to the Excelsior camp.
Raheem Sterling made his second consecutive start for Feyenoord in this match, contributing to the team’s attacking efforts. The match was officiated by referee Serdar Gözübüyük, who managed the intense atmosphere of the derby.
Looking ahead, Feyenoord will focus on their next match against Ajax on March 22, 2026, as they continue their pursuit of a European spot. Meanwhile, Excelsior will need to regroup quickly to address their relegation fears.