Almere City FC strengthened their promotion credentials with a 2-0 home victory over De Graafschap in the Netherlands Eerste Divisie on January 18, 2026. The match at the Yanmar Stadion saw the hosts deliver a professional performance to see off a strong opponent. Almere City took the lead midway through the first half, capitalizing on a defensive error. They sealed the win with a second goal late in the game, demonstrating their efficiency and control. This result was a significant statement from Almere, proving they could beat direct rivals in the race for the Eredivisie, while for De Graafschap it was a setback in their own ambitions. The Almere manager hailed a complete team performance, and the De Graafschap coach admitted his team was below par on the day. The starting lineups featured two of the division's most attack-minded teams, but it was Almere's defensive solidity that provided the platform for victory.