BREDA, Netherlands (Interstat) — In a thrilling Eredivisie season opener that defied pregame projections, NEC Nijmegen outlasted NAC Breda 4-3 in a back-and-forth contest Saturday at Rat Verlegh Stadion.

The match, which featured five second-half goals and a winner deep into stoppage time, provided immediate drama to the Dutch top-flight campaign. Pre-match analytics from Interstat had forecast a low-scoring draw, with a final score projection of 1-1 and giving NEC a 60.1 percent probability to win outright. The seven-goal spectacle rendered those predictions obsolete.

NEC established an early command, striking twice within the first 20 minutes. Substitute Eli Dasa opened the scoring in the 10th minute, capitalizing on early pressure. Just seven minutes later, fellow substitute Sami Ouaissa doubled the visitors’ advantage, leaving the home supporters stunned.

NAC Breda found its footing before halftime. Forward Moussa Soumano began his standout individual performance by pulling a goal back in the 38th minute, sending the teams into the break with NEC leading 2-1.

Soumano then completed a quick brace after the restart, netting the equalizer in the 55th minute to level the score at 2-2 and ignite the home crowd. The momentum was short-lived, however, as NEC responded forcefully. Midfielder Dirk Proper, who entered the match as a substitute, restored NEC’s lead in the 69th minute, finishing a play he helped create.

NAC Breda exhibited resilience once more. Defender Boy Kemper found the net in the 81st minute, powering in a header from a set-piece to knot the score at 3-3 and set up a frantic finale.

Just as the match seemed destined for a share of the points, NEC delivered a decisive blow in the fourth minute of second-half stoppage time. Substitute Kodai Sano became the hero, slotting home the winning goal to secure a 4-3 victory for the traveling side and sparking wild celebrations on the NEC bench.

The match was not without disciplinary notes. NAC Breda’s Charles-Andréas Brym received a yellow card in the 8th minute. NEC’s Max Balard was booked in the 65th minute, and match-winner Dirk Proper saw a yellow in the 87th minute.

The result immediately shapes the early Eredivisie table. NEC begins its league campaign with a victory, moving its record to 1-0. NAC Breda starts with a defeat, its record now 0-1. The records across all competitions for both clubs mirror their league starts following this fixture.

Key performances underpinned the offensive outburst. NEC’s Dirk Proper provided a crucial goal and an assist off the bench. NAC Breda’s Moussa Soumano led his side with two goals. Defenders also impacted the scoreboard, with NEC’s Boy Kemper scoring for NAC Breda and NEC’s Max Balard registering an assist. The substitutes’ bench proved particularly influential, contributing four of the game’s seven goals.

The dramatic win gives NEC early momentum as the Eredivisie season gets underway, while NAC Breda is left to rue defensive lapses after a fightback that ultimately fell short.