FC Groningen 3–0 PEC Zwolle | Eredivisie | 18 September 2026

Result Summary

FC Groningen delivered a commanding home performance at the Euroborg on Friday evening, dismantling PEC Zwolle with a comprehensive 3–0 victory. Goals from Thom van Bergen, Jorg Schreuders, and substitute Tygo Land gave Dick Lukkien's side a thoroughly deserved three points, leaving Henry van der Vegt's visitors with little to show for their efforts across 90 minutes.

Match Analysis

Groningen set the tone early, and their dominance was reflected across nearly every statistical category. The hosts registered 17 total shots to Zwolle's 9, with a particularly striking difference on target: 7 shots on target for Groningen versus just 1 for Zwolle. That single figure encapsulates Zwolle's afternoon — they were present in the contest but never truly threatening.

Thom van Bergen broke the deadlock on 20 minutes, converting a right-foot shot assisted by David van der Werff, who would go on to prove a creative thorn in Zwolle's side throughout the first half. Van der Werff's influence was further underlined when he laid on the third goal later in the match. Before half-time, Jorg Schreuders doubled the advantage with a composed left-foot finish on 43 minutes, ensuring Groningen entered the break firmly in control.

The statistics painted a picture of balanced possession — 52% for Groningen to 48% for Zwolle — yet the hosts converted their chances with far greater efficiency. Groningen also generated 53 dangerous attacks to Zwolle's 39, and their 12 key passes to Zwolle's 8 underscored their superiority in the final third. Passing accuracy was similarly tight — 83% for Groningen, 82% for Zwolle — though the home side's ball usage was considerably more purposeful.

PEC Zwolle attempted to reshape their approach with a double substitution at the hour mark, introducing Sydney van Hooijdonk and Gabriël Reiziger for Thijs Oosting and Dylan Mbayo respectively. Groningen responded with changes of their own, bringing on Hans Hateboer and Tygo Land on 66 minutes. Land made an immediate impact, netting just two minutes after his introduction — a right-foot finish assisted once again by David van der Werff — to seal the contest at 3–0 on 68 minutes.

The closing stages were relatively uneventful, though tempers briefly frayed in the 79th minute when Sherel Floranus and Koen Kostons both collected yellow cards for Zwolle, for an argument and a foul respectively. Groningen comfortably managed the result through to the final whistle.

Prediction Review

Our pre-match forecast called for a 1–0 Groningen win, with the home side assigned a 55.5% win probability at a confidence level of 61/100. The prediction of a Groningen victory was correct, and the result direction was well-judged. However, the scoreline of 3–0 significantly exceeded the narrow margin we anticipated — a reflection of just how one-sided this contest became, particularly in terms of shot conversion and Zwolle's inability to create meaningful goalscoring opportunities.

Key Takeaways

• David van der Werff was central to Groningen's attacking play, registering assists for both the first and third goals before being withdrawn in the 85th minute.
• Groningen's clinical finishing — converting 7 of 17 shots into three goals — proved the decisive factor against an opponent who could manage just one shot on target.
• PEC Zwolle will need to find greater cutting edge and defensive resilience ahead of their next fixture; a single shot on target over 90 minutes is a worrying indicator for Henry van der Vegt.
• Dick Lukkien's side look well-organised and potent at home, making the Euroborg a difficult venue for visiting sides this season.