Wout Weghorst’s Four-Goal Masterclass Delights Rafael van der Vaart as FC Twente Thrash Excelsior
FC Twente produced a remarkable attacking display in Rotterdam, overwhelming Excelsior 9-0 in the VriendenLoterij Eredivisie. The result was shaped by an early red card for Excelsior’s Nesto Groen, who was dismissed with almost the entire match still to play. But the visitors’ ruthless finishing and inventive football also made the afternoon a memorable one.
At the centre of the performance was striker Wout Weghorst, who scored four times. Former Netherlands international Rafael van der Vaart was especially impressed, praising the forward’s movement and the quality of his finishes during an appearance on Studio Sport. For supporters following the Eredivisie, the match offered a striking reminder of how quickly a contest can change—and how effectively a strong side can exploit the advantage.
Van der Vaart compares Weghorst’s goals to Dutch greats
Weghorst opened the scoring before adding further goals to make it 0-2 and 0-3. He completed his four-goal haul with Twente’s seventh of the afternoon, capping a performance in which nearly everything he attempted seemed to work.
Van der Vaart described the display as unique, saying some of Weghorst’s goals brought to mind finishes associated with Dennis Bergkamp and Marco van Basten. The comparison was not simply about the scoreline: it reflected the technique, timing and confidence Weghorst showed in front of goal.
“Everything came off today,” Van der Vaart said, explaining that he had thoroughly enjoyed watching the striker. He also acknowledged that Weghorst can divide opinion among football fans. The forward’s intensity and expressive style have sometimes made him a polarising figure, but Van der Vaart said the quality of this particular performance deserved recognition.
That reaction captures the unusual nature of a four-goal afternoon. Weghorst was not only in the right positions; he converted his chances with the kind of conviction that can turn a lopsided match into a personal showcase. His contribution also underlined the value of a striker who can remain alert and purposeful even when his team is already well ahead.
Ørjasæter creates Eredivisie history with five assists
Weghorst was not Twente’s only standout performer. Norwegian winger Sondre Ørjasæter supplied five assists, setting a new benchmark for the most assists recorded by a player in a single Eredivisie match this century. His creative contribution gave the visitors a constant source of danger and helped turn their numerical advantage into a relentless stream of chances.
Analyst Imke Courtois praised Ørjasæter’s versatility, highlighting his ability to use both feet. That balance makes it difficult for defenders to predict whether he will take the ball down the outside or cut infield. Courtois also pointed to his acceleration over the first few metres and his habit of keeping his head up—qualities that help a winger spot teammates and choose the right pass at speed.
Five assists in one match is an extraordinary return, but the number also reflects the importance of decision-making. Rather than forcing the final action, Ørjasæter repeatedly found the right moment to deliver the ball. His performance offered a reminder that a dominant football result is often built not only on finishing, but also on the players who create the openings.
Red card changes the contest, but Twente still had to deliver
Excelsior’s afternoon became considerably harder after Groen was sent off. Playing almost the full game with ten men left the home side with less room to defend and fewer options for stopping Twente’s attacks. The dismissal was a pivotal moment in the match and inevitably shaped the scale of the scoreline.
Van der Vaart admitted that a 9-0 result in the Eredivisie left him feeling somewhat disappointed. A red card followed by such a heavy defeat, he suggested, was not a positive look for the league. His comments reflected the tension between celebrating Twente’s excellent football and recognising how difficult it is for a team to compete after losing a player so early.
Still, the numerical advantage does not diminish the visitors’ execution. Twente moved the ball quickly, used the available space and continued to attack rather than settling for a comfortable win. As Van der Vaart noted, they have a strong squad capable of taking advantage when opponents are down to ten. Their performance was efficient as well as emphatic.
What the result means for FC Twente
The victory gives Twente a major confidence boost and highlights the depth of their attacking threat. Weghorst’s four goals will attract the headlines, while Ørjasæter’s record-setting assist tally signals the creative potential available out wide. Together, their performances showed how Twente can combine direct finishing with intelligent service into the penalty area.
For Excelsior, the result will prompt difficult questions about discipline and defensive resilience, though the early dismissal provides important context. A match played with ten men for so long is a severe test, particularly against an opponent able to move the ball quickly and punish gaps. The priority will be to respond in the next fixture rather than allow one extraordinary scoreline to define the season.
Twente’s schedule now turns to a Conference League meeting with Pafos on November 6, followed by an Eredivisie match against Go Ahead Eagles on November 8. Those games will offer a more demanding test of whether the attacking sharpness shown in Rotterdam can be carried into different circumstances. A 9-0 win cannot guarantee future results, but it can strengthen belief across the squad.
Prediction: momentum is with Twente
Based on this performance, the early prediction is that Twente will approach their next matches with considerable attacking confidence. Weghorst appears capable of turning chances into goals, while Ørjasæter’s ability to create from either side gives the team another dimension. The key question will be how effectively Twente reproduce that fluency against opponents who can defend with a full team and limit space.
For now, the Rotterdam rout belongs to Weghorst and Ørjasæter. Van der Vaart may have reservations about the final score and the circumstances that helped produce it, but his admiration for Twente’s striker was unmistakable. In a match that delivered a record assist haul, four goals from one forward and a nine-goal scoreline, Weghorst’s performance was the moment that captured the attention of fans and pundits alike.
