Excelsior SBV 0-9 FC Twente Enschede: Visitors Run Riot in Rotterdam

FC Twente Enschede produced a devastating away performance to thrash Excelsior SBV 9-0 in the Netherlands Eredivisie on Sunday evening. At the Van Donge & De Roo Stadion, Twente were ruthless from the opening minutes, scoring five before half-time and adding four more after the break to complete one of the most emphatic results of the season.

The scoreline was built on sharp pressing, quick combination play and clinical finishing. Excelsior SBV simply could not cope with Twente’s movement between the lines, and once the first goal arrived, the home side’s structure began to unravel. Twente’s supporters celebrated a statement win, while Excelsior were left with a painful evening to analyse.

Match overview

Twente opened the scoring in the 7th minute when Sem Steijn arrived in the box to finish a flowing move. The visitors doubled their lead in the 15th minute through Daan Rots, who cut inside from the right and found the far corner. Michel Vlap added a third in the 24th minute, and Steijn scored his second in the 38th minute after another incisive attack.

Excelsior’s difficult night worsened in first-half stoppage time when Youri Regeer made it 5-0. The home side tried to regroup after the interval, but Twente refused to ease off. Rots scored his second in the 52nd minute, Steijn completed his hat-trick in the 61st, Ricky van Wolfswinkel added the eighth in the 73rd, and Sayfallah Ltaief completed the scoring in the 84th minute.

Key moments

• 7’ – Excelsior 0-1: Sem Steijn finishes a sweeping Twente move.
• 15’ – Excelsior 0-2: Daan Rots cuts inside and curls into the far corner.
• 24’ – Excelsior 0-3: Michel Vlap scores from the edge of the area.
• 38’ – Excelsior 0-4: Steijn reacts quickest to a rebound.
• 45+2’ – Excelsior 0-5: Youri Regeer adds a fifth before the break.
• 52’ – Excelsior 0-6: Rots scores his second after a rapid counter.
• 61’ – Excelsior 0-7: Steijn completes his hat-trick.
• 73’ – Excelsior 0-8: Ricky van Wolfswinkel finishes from close range.
• 84’ – Excelsior 0-9: Sayfallah Ltaief rounds off the scoring.

Tactical story

Twente’s 4-2-3-1 system was designed to overwhelm Excelsior in central areas. Steijn drifted between the lines, Rots stretched the defence on the right, and Vlap controlled the tempo from midfield. The visitors pressed aggressively after losing possession, forcing Excelsior into rushed clearances and repeated turnovers. Each time Twente regained the ball, they attacked with purpose.

Excelsior’s high defensive line was repeatedly exposed. Once Twente scored early, the home side struggled to decide whether to press or drop deeper, and that indecision created gaps throughout the pitch. Twente’s midfield dominated the second balls, while their full-backs provided constant width. By the time the substitutions arrived, the game was already long decided.

Standout players

Steijn was the headline performer with a hat-trick, combining intelligent movement with composed finishing. Rots was equally influential, scoring twice and creating problems every time he ran at the Excelsior defence. Vlap dictated the rhythm of the attack, and Regeer’s first-half goal underlined Twente’s control. Van Wolfswinkel and Ltaief made an impact from the bench, showing the depth available to the visitors.

Season impact

The result gives FC Twente Enschede a significant boost to their goal difference and strengthens their position in the Eredivisie standings. For Excelsior SBV, the defeat is a heavy setback that will require a quick response, both mentally and tactically. Twente’s performance will be remembered as one of the most complete away displays of the campaign, while Excelsior must regroup before their next fixture.