ROTTERDAM, Netherlands (Interstat) — Feyenoord opened its Eredivisie campaign with a commanding 4-2 victory over Heracles on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, at a rain-slicked Stadion Feijenoord, overcoming a late surge from the visitors to secure three points.

The match, played under the lights in Rotterdam, saw the home side dominate proceedings for large stretches, building a seemingly insurmountable lead before Heracles mounted a frantic comeback attempt in the dying minutes. The final score defied the pregame projections from Interstat, whose game simulator had predicted a 2-1 Feyenoord win and whose ELO system gave the hosts a 58 percent probability of victory.

Feyenoord established control early, with young forward Leo Sauer breaking the deadlock in the 23rd minute. The home side doubled its advantage just 12 minutes later when defender Jordy Bos found the net, showcasing Feyenoord’s threat from multiple areas of the pitch. The first half was also marked by a flurry of yellow cards, with Heracles substitutes Lequincio Zeefuik and Ivan Mesík booked in the 32nd and 39th minutes, respectively, alongside Feyenoord midfielder Luciano Valente in the 32nd.

The second half continued in a disjointed fashion, with Feyenoord goalkeeper Timon Wellenreuther receiving a rare caution in the 55th minute. The game appeared to be drifting toward a comfortable conclusion for the hosts until a dramatic final ten minutes injected unexpected tension.

Feyenoord’s Anis Hadj Moussa seemingly put the result beyond doubt with a goal in the 83rd minute, pushing the lead to 3-0. However, Heracles midfielder Casper Tengstedt responded almost immediately, pulling a goal back for the visitors just two minutes later in the 85th.

Rather than settling, Feyenoord restored its three-goal cushion in the fourth minute of stoppage time. Substitute Tristan van Gilst found the net to make it 4-1, seemingly the final act. Yet Heracles displayed relentless spirit, as another substitute, Luka Kulenović, scored moments later to create the 4-2 final margin at the death.

The statistical contributions highlighted a team-wide effort for Feyenoord. Beyond the goal scorers Sauer, Bos, Hadj Moussa and van Gilst, assists were registered by substitutes Ivan Mesík and Lequincio Zeefuik for Heracles, and by Feyenoord’s Luciano Valente and, notably, goalkeeper Timon Wellenreuther.

The result immediately separates the teams in the early Eredivisie table. Feyenoord begins its season with a win, while Heracles starts with a loss. Both clubs see their overall records across all competitions mirror this opening league result. Feyenoord will look to build on this performance, while Heracles must regroup after a defeat that featured a resilient, if ultimately futile, late fightback.