Decisive figure heads Excelsior past Sparta Rotterdam in stoppage time | OneFootball

Nesto Groen settled it in the second minute of second half stoppage time with a close-range header, as Excelsior beat Sparta Rotterdam 2-1.

In the 77th minute, Groen glanced a header wide from close range after pulling free at the back post.

Moments later, he laid one back for a team-mate whose effort was blocked (77.). He kept attacking crosses and stayed alive around the six-yard box.

The decisive moment arrived from a corner, when Groen met Ilano Silva Timas' headed pass to nod in at the near post in the second minute of second half stoppage time.

Groen finished with two attempts, one on target, four possessions won and one key pass. He also produced two successful dribbles and made four touches in the box, underlining his penalty-area threat.

Excelsior rise from 10th to sixth and visit Willem II next. Sparta Rotterdam drop from eighth to 10th and host PEC Zwolle next.