When PSV Eindhoven snatched a 3‑2 win at De Kuip on May 11, 2025, the Eredivisie title race suddenly felt like a roller‑coaster. The Dutch giants erased a 2‑0 deficit in the second half, and Noa Lang’s 99th‑minute strike left the 47,500‑strong crowd in stunned silence while sending PSV supporters into raptures. The win trimmed the gap to league leaders Ajax to a single point, just as Ajax were battling NEC Nijmegen at the Johan Cruijff ArenA.

Background to a nail‑biting title race

Going into the final weekend of the season, Ajax sat five points clear of PSV, having won their first 24 matches of the campaign. Feyenoord, traditionally the third big club, were fighting for a Champions League berth and had been on a seven‑game winning streak, netting 24 goals along the way. A win for Feyenoord would have meant that Ajax needed just a simple victory over NEC to seal the crown, while PSV’s own surge — four straight wins under Peter Bosz — kept them within striking distance.

Match timeline and turning points

The drama unfolded under the iconic lights of Rotterdam’s De Kuip. Within five minutes, Igor Paixão pounced on a long kick‑out from Timon Wellenreuther, sliding the ball past PSV keeper Walter Benitez. Ten minutes later, Givairo Read doubled the lead after a slick assist from Anis Hadji Moussa.

PSV’s first serious attempt arrived in the 22nd minute when Malik Tillman struck from the edge of the box, but his effort clipped the post. The first half ended 2‑0 to Feyenoord, and the home side’s supporters were already chanting victory.

The second half belonged to Bosz’s side. Fresh legs and a tactical tweak – switching to a high‑press – saw Ivan Perišić scramble a loose ball into the net, slashing the deficit to 2‑1. PSV kept the pressure on, and in the 78th minute Noa Lang levelled the score with a low‑driven finish from the edge of the area.

With the clock ticking, tension rose. In the 90th minute, referee showed a red card to Givairo Read for a second‑yellow offence, leaving Feyenoord with ten men. Extra time was granted, and in the 99th minute Lang, now back in the box, tapped in a perfect cross from Perišić to clinch the comeback.

Managerial tactics and key performances

Robin van Persie, Feyenoord’s manager and former Dutch star, had started Gijs Smal at left‑back, hoping his pace would stretch PSV’s defence. The gamble paid off early, but the decision to keep a high line left gaps that Bosz’s side exploited after the break.

Bosz, a coach known for attacking football, switched to a 3‑4‑3 formation at halftime, pushing the wing‑backs forward and allowing Perišić the freedom to roam. The change ignited PSV’s creative spark, and the midfield, anchored by Tillman, began to dominate possession.

Lang’s performance was the headline. Not only did he score the equaliser and the winner, but his work rate—covering more ground than any other player—earned him the man‑of‑the‑match award. Perišić’s experience shone through; his decisive interventions created two of PSV’s three goals.

Repercussions for Ajax and the title chase

While PSV celebrated, Ajax’s evening turned nightmarish. The Amsterdam side hosted NEC Nijmegen at the Johan Cruijff ArenA just 15 minutes after the De Kuip final whistle. In front of a packed crowd, Ajax crumbled 3‑0, a result no one saw coming.

The loss dropped Ajax to a one‑point lead over PSV with two games left, meaning the championship is now a live duel rather than a foregone conclusion. Fans outside the stadium, who had been following the Rotterdam game on screens, expressed disbelief as the live ticker showed PSV’s decisive goal.

For Feyenoord, the defeat not only cost them three points but also dented their hopes of a Champions League spot. Their rivals, FC Utrecht, were simultaneously grinding out a win against FC Twente, putting extra pressure on the Rotterdam club to recover in the remaining fixtures.

Looking ahead: What the next weeks hold

With only two matches remaining, the Eredivisie table is tighter than a drum. PSV travel to Alkmaar to face AZ Alkmaar, while Ajax host PSV in what promises to be a title‑decider. Feyenoord must win their next two games and hope Utrecht slips up to keep their European dreams alive.

• Key fact: PSV’s comeback is the fastest 2‑goal turnaround after trailing 2‑0 in the Eredivisie since 2013.
• Key fact: Ajax’s 3‑0 loss is their worst defeat at the Johan Cruijff ArenA in a decade.
• Key fact: Noa Lang now has 12 league goals this season, up from 9 before the match.