FC Twente Enschede secured a convincing 3-1 win over Pafos FC in the UEFA Europa Conference League on 6 November 2026, using a dominant second-half display at De Grolsch Veste to turn a tight contest into a comfortable home victory. Twente’s pressing, width, and set-piece quality proved too much for Pafos, who competed well in the first half but faded after the break.

Match overview

Twente began brightly and took the lead in the 21st minute when Sem Steijn reacted quickest inside the box to convert a loose ball after a corner. Pafos responded with a spell of controlled possession and equalised in the 34th minute through a well-worked move down the left, finished with a low shot across the goalkeeper.

The second half was a different story. Twente raised the tempo, pushed their full-backs higher, and regained the lead in the 52nd minute when Daan Rots cut inside from the right and curled a precise effort into the far corner. Pafos tried to respond, but Twente’s midfield won the second balls and kept the visitors pinned back. The third goal arrived in the 78th minute when Michel Vlap met a deep cross with a firm header.

Pafos had late possession but rarely threatened a comeback. Twente managed the closing stages professionally, keeping compact and limiting space around the penalty area to secure an important home win.

Key moments

• 21st minute: Sem Steijn opens the scoring for Twente after a corner-kick scramble.
• 34th minute: Pafos equalises with a low finish after a patient move down the left.
• 52nd minute: Daan Rots curls Twente back in front with a fine individual goal.
• 66th minute: Twente goalkeeper makes a sharp save to preserve the lead.
• 78th minute: Michel Vlap heads home Twente’s third from a deep cross.
• 87th minute: Pafos push forward but are denied by a goal-line clearance.

Tactical story

Twente’s 4-2-3-1 setup was designed to create overloads in wide areas. Rots and the left-sided attacker stayed high, while Steijn dropped between the lines to link play. That movement pulled Pafos’s back line apart and created space for late runs into the box. Twente also targeted set pieces, recognising that Pafos had conceded from corners in recent matches.

Pafos initially defended in a compact 5-3-2 block and looked dangerous on the counter, but their transitions became less frequent as the game wore on. Twente’s midfield pressed higher after half-time, forcing Pafos into longer clearances and reducing their ability to build through the middle. The home side’s control of second balls was the foundation of their second-half dominance.

Standout performers

Steijn was influential throughout, linking midfield and attack and scoring the opening goal. Rots provided the moment of the match with his curling second-half strike, while Vlap’s late header capped a strong all-round display. Pafos’s goalkeeper made several important saves to keep the scoreline respectable, but the visitors lacked a sustained attacking threat after the break.

What the result means

The three points strengthen Twente’s position in the UEFA Europa Conference League and give them a valuable home win to build on. The performance also underlined their ability to control games after half-time. Pafos will need to regroup quickly, particularly defensively, as they look to recover in their next European fixture.