NEC Nijmegen Ends PSV's Dutch Cup Run

NEC Nijmegen stuns PSV, reaches Dutch cup final

NEC Nijmegen stuns league leaders PSV with a 3-2 win, securing their sixth KNVB Beker final appearance.

NEC Nijmegen beats PSV 3-2, books spot in Dutch KNVB Beker final...

NEC Nijmegen pulled off a massive upset, beating league leaders PSV 3-2 to book their spot in the Dutch KNVB Beker final.

The fourth-placed Nijmegen side ended a four-game winless streak with a thrilling win over top-of-the-table PSV, securing their place in the cup final.

NEC Nijmegen started flying in front of their home crowd! PSV's goalkeeper Matej Kovar gifted them the lead in just 6 minutes - his parry fell to Bryan Linssen, who chipped him to score.

NEC Nijmegen started the match strongly in front of their home fans. PSV's goalkeeper Matej Kovar failed to safely parry a shot from Sami Ouaissa, and Bryan Linssen capitalized on the rebound, chipping the ball over Kovar to give NEC an early lead in just six minutes.

PSV created several chances to get back into the game, with Myron Boadu and Joey Veerman testing NEC's goalkeeper Cillessen. However, it was Ismael Saibari who broke the deadlock for PSV, scoring a header to equalize for the league leaders just ten minutes after Linssen's opener. PSV quickly took the lead through Dennis Man, who was allowed to safely pass through NEC's defence and slot the ball into Cillessen's bottom corner, putting PSV up 2-1 after 19 minutes.

Part one of this high-intensity match is behind us ⚖️#NECPSV pic.twitter.com/om3rCTkLVs

— PSV (@PSV) March 3, 2026

The first half was a wild ride! NEC upped the ante after PSV's 2-1 lead, bombarding Kovar's goal with shots from Eli Dasa and Noe Lebreton. Dasa's volley found the net, levelling the score.

The half wasn't done yet - Bryan Linssen nearly added another for NEC just before the whistle. Referee Serdar Gözübüyük almost blew the half-time whistle, but PSV got one last chance, Saibari's shot hitting Cillessen's post. A frantic end to the half!

The second half saw both sides continue their offensive style of play and create several chances early on. Myron Boadu and Ivan Perisic were denied by Cillessen, while Sami Ouaissa saw Kovar stop his effort after nearly an hour.

6' Bryan Linssen (1-0)
16' Ismael Saibari (1-1)
20' Dennis Man (1-2)

Aan goals geen gebrek 👀#necpsv pic.twitter.com/mLQecqXzqo

— ESPN NL (@ESPNnl) March 3, 2026

Another quick attack from NEC was fruitful at last, with Lebreton's cross tapped in by Basar Önal at the far post to give the hosts the lead again after an hour..

The game was on a knife's edge. Jasper Cillessen pulled off a great save from Armando Obispo, and just minutes later Youssef El Kachati blew a one-on-one chance with Kovar, squandering a gift from Mauro Junior.

PSV's intensity dropped off in the second half, and NEC nearly scored again. Despite dominating possession (75%), PSV struggled to trouble Cillessen, with Obispo's effort one of the few testing shots in the final 15 minutes.

Wat. Een. Wedstrijd. N.E.C. weer op voorsprong 🥵#necpsv pic.twitter.com/BHujX7P5p0

— ESPN NL (@ESPNnl) March 3, 2026

In the dying seconds, Ivan Perisic had a late chance to level, but his effort sailed over Cillessen's goal, ending PSV's hopes.

NEC Nijmegen secured their spot in the KNVB Beker final with a thrilling 3-2 win over PSV, ending their drought for a first-ever Dutch Cup title. This marks their sixth appearance in the final, with their last being this year. They'll face either AZ or Telstar on April 19th in Rotterdam's De Kuip.