PSV beat Sparta Rotterdam to win their 25th Eredivisie league title
PSV survived a tough first half to beat Sparta Rotterdam 4-2 on Sunday to confirm themselves as 2023-24 Eredivisie champions. The victory meant that second-place Feyenoord could no longer catch PSV with the number of matches remaining. The goals were scored by Johan Bakayoko, Oliver Boscagli, and Jordan Teze, with the other goal being an own goal from a Sparta player.
It did not go as easy as planned for PSV as Sparta gave a very good account of themselves, taking the lead in the first half and ensuring the score was level at halftime. PSV’s quality showed in the end, earning them their first league title in six years.
PSV started the match with the same 11 that beat SC Heerenveen 0-8 away in their last game. Malik Tillman was given the nod over Hirving Lozano at the left-wing position.
Sparta started bravely and took advantage of a nervous PSV side to take the lead after seven minutes with a beautiful goal. Right back Saïd Bakari did well to win the ball and used a sublime piece of skill to beat his marker before playing in Metinho, who smashed it high into the net, giving Walter Benitez no chance.
The Eindhovenaren equalized just over ten minutes later. Oliver Boscagli headed on Joey Veerman’s corner at the near post to Jerdy Schouten, who improvised by directing the ball toward the goal using his chest. Sparta goalkeeper Nick Olij got a hand to it, but it deflected in off Bakari and was awarded as an own goal.
PSV took the lead seven minutes later. Djevencio van der Kust made a significant error on the ball, losing it to Luuk de Jong, who stayed calm in the box and gave Johan Bakayoko an easy finish to give the home side their first lead of the match.
But the Eindhoven crowd were silenced again just three minutes later. Jonathan de Guzman found space in the midfield and played in Koki Saito, whose shot seemed to be going wide before Boscagli headed it on into the far corner.
The goal was especially relevant as it meant that PSV failed to break their club record for the fewest goals conceded in an Eredivisie season. It was their 19th goal conceded in the league this season, which means that the record of 18 goals conceded set by Guus Hiddink’s side in the 2004-05 season remains unbroken.
Peter Bosz’s side started to put Sparta under pressure just before halftime. Jordan Teze spun away from his man before smashing a low cross into the box, which was met by Veerman, who hit it over.
The home side retook the lead in the 67th minute. Veerman created the goal again through a set piece. The midfielder, born in Volendam, played a deft chip over the Sparta wall to Boscagli, who made up for his role in Sparta’s equalizer by volleying it home.
Another defender got on the scoresheet for PSV to put the game to bed. Teze had come forward from deep and saw the ball roll perfectly into his path. He made no mistake with a calm finish while being one-on-one with the keeper.
Sparta had gotten tired by the end of the match but will take confidence from their performance.
PSV legend Hans van Breukelen presented Luuk de Jong with the trophy.
