Fortuna Sittard edge Excelsior as Ihattaren and Sierhuis deliver | OneFootball

Match in Five Sentences: Fortuna Sittard beat Excelsior 2-1 at the Fortuna Sittard Stadion. Mohammed Ihattaren put the hosts ahead from the spot in the eighth minute of first half stoppage time, before Kaj Sierhuis doubled the lead with a header (58.). VAR confirmed the spot kick after Casper Widell handled, and Noah Naujoks halved the deficit with a composed finish (78.). Danny Buijs' side carried the greater threat with 16 attempts to the visitors' 10 and six on target to four. Next up, Fortuna Sittard visit NEC Nijmegen, while Excelsior host Go Ahead Eagles.

Player of the Match: Sierhuis led the line, scoring the decisive header, taking four shots and supplying three key passes.

Stat of the Match: Edouard Michut completed 49 of 53 passes, helping Fortuna Sittard control midfield.

Three Things We Learned: VAR confirmed a first half spot kick for the hosts, shaping the game's flow. Their set-piece threat delivered the second goal, with Sierhuis converting clinically. Fortuna Sittard tallied 16 attempts to 10 despite having 45.9% possession.