Excelsior snatch stoppage-time win as subs combine | OneFootball

Match in Five Sentences: Excelsior beat Sparta Rotterdam 2-1. Aymen Sliti put the hosts ahead in the 24th minute with a left-footed strike from outside the box. Milan Zonneveld levelled (48.) from Mitchell Van Bergen's pass, and in the second minute of second half stoppage time Nesto Groen headed the winner from Ilano Silva Timas's knock-down after a corner. Despite having 56.4% possession, Sparta managed only two shots on target to the hosts' five. Excelsior rise from ninth to sixth and visit Willem II next, while Sparta sit 10th and host PEC Zwolle.

Player of the Match: Nesto Groen decided the contest with a stoppage-time header, adding two successful dribbles, four possession regains and a key pass in a sharp 23-minute cameo.

Stat of the Match: Irakli Yegoian made five key passes, providing the game's most consistent supply line.

Three Things We Learned: Excelsior's bench made the difference, with Groen and Ilano Silva Timas combining for the decisive header in second half stoppage time. The hosts won 75.0% of their tackles, giving them the base to sustain late pressure. Dead balls mattered, as Sliti struck soon after consecutive corners and the clincher came from a late corner routine.