Chery’s Double Sinks Zwolle as NEC Triumph 3-1

NEC Nijmegen Stun PEC Zwolle 3-1 in Eredivisie Thriller

A penalty-laden, VAR-chaotic night at MAC³PARK Stadium saw NEC Nijmegen emerge 3-1 victors over PEC Zwolle in the Eredivisie’s fourth round, with Tjaronn Chery’s first-half brace and Perr Schuurs’ late strike rendering Koen Kostons’ missed penalty a haunting turning point.

Chery’s Deadly Double Puts NEC in Control

The visitors struck first blood after just five minutes when veteran midfielder Chery coolly converted a penalty, sending Jasper Schendelaar the wrong way. The 33-year-old doubled his tally in the 23rd minute with another spot-kick, this time drilling low to the keeper’s left after Zwolle’s defence crumbled under pressure.

Zwolle thought they’d halved the deficit when Sherel Floranus bundled home on 38 minutes, only for VAR to disallow it for offside—a cruel blow that summed up their first-half frustrations. Kostons did pull one back from the spot in stoppage time, slotting home after a handball decision, but the hosts entered the break chasing shadows.

Kostons’ Nightmare Moment Turns Tide

The second half became Koen Kostons’ personal tragedy. The striker saw another goal chalked off by VAR on 58 minutes, then stepped up for a potential equaliser from 12 yards on 72 minutes—only to blaze his penalty over the bar with the entire stadium holding its breath. NEC’s bench erupted in relief; Zwolle’s shoulders slumped.

Dick Schreuder’s side capitalised ruthlessly. Substitute Elayis Mor danced down the left on 83 minutes and squared for Perr Schuurs to thunder home, sealing the points. Zwolle’s Olivier Aertssen’s late yellow card epitomised their fraying discipline as NEC saw out a vital away win.

What This Means for Both Sides

For NEC, this was a statement of resilience—overcoming 52% Zwolle possession and six corners to clinically exploit their chances. Chery’s double takes him to three goals this season, while Schuurs’ cameo impact off the bench offers depth.

Zwolle, meanwhile, will rue their wastefulness. Kostons’ penalty nightmare (one scored, one missed) and two disallowed goals leave Henry Van Der Vegt’s side with just four points from four games. The stats tell the story: 1.98 xG yielded just one goal, while NEC’s 2.01 xG produced three. Football can be brutally efficient.

Key Moments

5′ ⚽ NEC Nijmegen — T. Chery

23′ ⚽ NEC Nijmegen — T. Chery

45+1′ ⚽ PEC Zwolle — K. Kostons

83′ ⚽ NEC Nijmegen — P. Schuurs (assist: E. Mor)