Groningen edge NEC Nijmegen as Taha shines and VAR drama late | OneFootball

Match in Five Sentences: Groningen beat NEC Nijmegen 2-1. Marco Rente headed in Younes Taha's cross in the third minute of first half stoppage time. After the restart, Tygo Land doubled the lead on a fast break (51.), then Darko Nejasmic's close-range header gave the visitors hope (76.), before Basar Önal had a goal ruled out by VAR for offside (84.). The hosts were sharper in both boxes, registering seven shots on target to the visitors' three from near-identical attempt totals. The result lifts Groningen from 10th to ninth, while NEC Nijmegen drop from third to fourth and host Go Ahead Eagles next as Groningen visit Heracles.

Player of the Match: Younes Taha created both goals with precise deliveries and also worked the goalkeeper once, finishing with two key passes in 69 minutes.

Stat of the Match: Gonzalo Cretazz produced five saves, keeping NEC Nijmegen in the contest after falling two behind.

Three Things We Learned: Groningen turned pressure into quality, hitting seven shots on target from 11 attempts against 12 attempts and three on target for NEC Nijmegen. Younes Taha delivered two assists and registered two key passes before going off, underlining his creative role. Thijmen Blokzijl made 10 clearances as the defence absorbed late pressure.