BREDA, Netherlands (Interstat) — Excelsior opened the Eredivisie season with a 2-0 road victory over NAC Breda on Friday, defying pregame projections.

Playing at Rat Verlegh Stadion, the visitors seized control early after NAC Breda defender Rio Hillen was sent off with a red card in the 12th minute. Excelsior capitalized on the manpower advantage with two first-half goals. Substitute Emil Hansson opened the scoring in the 18th minute, followed by a goal from fellow substitute Irakli Yegoian in the 31st.

The result was an upset. Statistical models had favored NAC Breda, projecting a 53.2% win probability. Excelsior begins its league campaign 1-0, while NAC Breda starts 0-1.