Philip Brittijn scores late winner as Fortuna Sittard defeat Willem II 1-0

Early penalty review and first-half chances

Willem II manager John Stegeman made one tactical change to his starting lineup following away fixtures against AZ and Ajax, inserting right winger Eser Gürbüz in place of defensive player Per van Loon. Fortuna Sittard created danger after less than two minutes when a through pass caught defender Nathan Tjoe-A-On off guard. Tjoe-A-On appeared to bring down Ivo Pinto inside the penalty area. The video assistant referee instructed referee Dennis Higler to review the footage at the pitchside screen for a potential penalty, but Higler stood by his on-field decision and declined to award the spot kick. Willem II generated their clearest first-half chance when Fortuna midfielder Edouard Michut misplaced a pass in buildup play. Gürbüz collected the loose ball and sent striker Devin Haen, recently called up to Jong Oranje, clear on goal, but Haen placed his finish directly at former Willem II goalkeeper Mattijs Branderhorst. Gürbüz later curled a long-range shot just wide of the top corner, while Mohamed Ihattaren struck narrowly wide at the other end. Ten minutes before halftime, Uriël van Aalst fed Gürbüz down the flank, but the winger had his cross blocked. In four minutes of first-half stoppage time, Calvin Twigt failed to connect with a low delivery from Tjoe-A-On, before Hidde ter Avest collected a deflected pass off a defender and shot wide.

Second-half pressure and disallowed goal

Immediately following the restart, Willem II goalkeeper Maxime Delanghe made a save to turn away a powerful strike from Philip Brittijn. The home side answered with attacking pressure of their own, as Gürbüz volleyed over the crossbar inside the Limburg side's penalty area and Jaden Slory dragged an effort wide of the upright. In the 62nd minute, Tjoe-A-On received possession on his left foot inside the box, but struck his shot off target. Fortuna Sittard introduced forward Lequincio Zeefuik from the substitutes bench on the hour mark. Zeefuik found the net almost immediately after entering the match, but referee Dennis Higler disallowed the strike after determining that the forward had committed a push against an opposing defender.

Brittijn secures the points after goalkeeping error

The decisive goal arrived in the 80th minute following an error from Delanghe. Zeefuik connected with a header toward the Willem II net, and the Belgian goalkeeper spilled the ball back into the six-yard box. Brittijn reacted first to the rebound and finished from close range to give Fortuna Sittard a 1-0 advantage. Willem II pushed men forward in search of an equalizer during the closing minutes, but the Tilburg team failed to mount an effective offensive before the final whistle.

Standings impact after seven rounds

The victory is the fourth of the Eredivisie campaign for Fortuna Sittard, bringing their total to 13 points through seven league matches. Newly promoted Willem II remain winless through their opening seven games, having registered two points from two draws and five losses. The defeat sends the Tilburg club down to 18th place at the bottom of the table. ADO Den Haag also have two points from seven matches, but sit ahead of Willem II due to a superior goal difference.