Emmen and Volendam played out one of the most entertaining Eerste Divisie matches of the season on September 5, 2026, with the home side prevailing 5-3 in a seven-goal thriller. Both clubs, each hoping to secure promotion back to the Eredivisie, treated the fans to an end-to-end spectacle full of attacking quality, defensive lapses, and resilient comebacks.

Match overview

The opening half-hour was pure chaos. Emmen surged into a 3-0 lead inside 25 minutes, threatening a rout. Yet Volendam, showing the attacking spirit for which they are known, struck twice before halftime to reduce the deficit. The second half was calmer but no less dramatic, with Emmen restoring their two-goal cushion and then adding a fifth late on to make the result safe. In total, seven goals were scored, and both goalkeepers will have busier evenings than they would have wanted.

Key moments

• 4' – Emmen open the floodgates: A slick passing move ended with a low finish from inside the six-yard box.
• 12' – Second for Emmen: A powerful header from a corner doubled the lead.
• 25' – Third goal: A deflected shot from distance flew past the Volendam keeper and made it 3-0.
• 33' – Volendam pull one back: A well-worked move cut Emmen’s defence open, and the striker fired into the top corner.
• 41' – Volendam strike again: A set-piece scramble was bundled into the net, making it 3-2 at the break.
• 58' – Emmen make it 4-2: A counterattack was finished emphatically to calm home nerves.
• 80' – Volendam refuse to go away: Another goal brought the score to 4-3 in a breathless contest.
• 88' – Emmen seal the win: A breakaway fifth goal ended any hopes of a Volendam comeback.

Tactical story

Emmen came out flying with aggressive, direct football and were rewarded with three early goals. Their high press overwhelmed Volendam, who struggled to play through the midfield. Once Volendam adjusted and pushed their full-backs higher, they created significant openings. The midfield battle became the defining feature: Emmen’s box-to-box runners had the legs in the first half, while Volendam’s creativity grew as the game opened up. In the end, Emmen’s ability to execute on the break proved decisive.

Standout players

The Emmen number nine was the obvious star, bagging a brace and assisting another in a relentless display of penalty-area movement. His strike partner also contributed two goals, making them a nightmare for the Volendam centre-backs. For Volendam, their young attacking midfielder offered the visitors’ most dangerous moments, scoring once and creating another with a clever through ball. His performance was a clear sign of the club’s continued investment in attacking talent.

Eerste Divisie implications

This victory strengthens Emmen’s case as one of the early front-runners in the promotion race, providing an important goal-difference boost in a division where every point matters. Volendam, despite the defeat, showed enough in the final hour to suggest they will be competitive throughout the season. However, shipping five goals away from home means their defence must be addressed if they are to remain in the upper reaches of the table.