Last-Minute Equaliser Costs Champions PSV Hard-Fought Win Against Fortuna Sittard
In a thrilling opening match for the 2026/27 season, PSV Eindhoven faced off against Fortuna Sittard, ultimately finishing with a 2-2 draw after a dramatic last-minute equaliser from Edouard Michut. The match showcased the intensity and unpredictability of Eredivisie football, highlighting both teams’ strengths and weaknesses.
PSV’s manager, Peter Bosz, took everyone by surprise with his choice of a 3-4-3 formation, featuring a defensive trio composed of Mauro Junior, Armando Obispo, and Ryan Flamingo. In the midfield, Noah Fernandez and Ivan Perisic were deployed as wingbacks, while Ruben van Bommel and Guus Til occupied the flanks. Notably, Sven Mijnans made his debut in the Eredivisie for PSV, stepping into the striker role which was filled by Ricardo Pepi.
The initial stages of the match were dominated by Fortuna Sittard, as they carved out significant goal-scoring opportunities through players such as Mohammed Ihattaren and Ole ter Haar Romeny. The latter had a goal disallowed for offside, demonstrating the competitive nature of the encounter right from the start. Unfortunately for PSV, their defensive issues resurfaced reminiscent of their previous outing in the Johan Cruyff Shield, as a miscalculated pass from Ryan Flamingo allowed Ter Haar Romeny to score easily, placing Fortuna in an unexpected lead.
In a desperate attempt to rally before halftime, Pepi nearly managed to equalise for PSV, but was thwarted by a precisely timed block from Syb van Ottele. However, the tide began to turn shortly after the break, as it took only ten minutes for PSV to respond. Ryan Flamingo headed a corner from Ivan Perisic into the net, igniting hope for the champions.
Fortuna Sittard continued to resist, countering effectively while threatening to reclaim the lead with quick attacks, particularly from Ihattaren. Conversely, despite several near-miss chances from Til and others, PSV struggled to dominate the match thoroughly. In a breakout moment, Belgian rising star Noah Fernandez scored his second professional goal by skillfully chipping the ball over the Fortuna goalkeeper, Matthijs Branderhorst, giving PSV a brief 2-1 lead.
However, as the match approached its climax, PSV’s lack of urgency proved costly. With just a minute left on the clock, Edouard Michut unleashed a powerful shot towards goal, which deflected off Perisic, leaving goalkeeper Matej Kovar no chance and resulting in a devastating equaliser for Fortuna Sittard.
This unexpected draw marked a disappointing start for PSV’s title defence, as they failed to secure maximum points at home against a mid-table adversary. Their next challenge will be an away game against Excelsior, scheduled for Saturday, August 15th. As the season progresses, PSV must seek to address their defensive frailties and harness their attacking talents more effectively in order to contend for the championship.
