ROTTERDAM (Interstat) — Excelsior defeated Jong Sparta 3-2 on Sunday at Sparta-Stadion Het Kasteel in an Eredivisie opener. Excelsior improved to 1-0 in the competition and across all competitions, while Jong Sparta dropped to 0-1.

Giannino Vianello opened the scoring in the 14th minute. Arthur Zagre equalized for Excelsior in the 50th, and Ayoni Santos put Excelsior ahead in the 53rd. Noah Naujoks leveled for Jong Sparta in the 62nd, but Milan Zonneveld scored the winner in first-half stoppage time, the 90th plus first minute.

Key contributors included substitute Arthur Zagre with a goal, substitute Noah Naujoks with a goal, midfielder Ayoni Santos with a goal, forward Milan Zonneveld with a goal, and forward Giannino Vianello with a goal. Defenders Teo Quintero and Patrick van Aanholt each had an assist, as did forward Vito van Crooij and midfielder Julian Baas.

Yellow cards were issued to Vito van Crooij in the 40th minute, Julian Baas in the 54th, Teo Quintero in the 71st, and Patrick van Aanholt in the 89th.