Excelsior Maassluis produced an entertaining performance to defeat Sparta Rotterdam Reserves 4-2 in an international club friendly on 8 August 2026. The match, which kicked off at 20:30, offered plenty of attacking football and gave both coaches valuable minutes for their squads ahead of the upcoming competitive campaigns.

Match Overview

From the opening exchanges, Excelsior Maassluis looked sharp in possession and created several early openings. Sparta Rotterdam Reserves, fielding a mix of promising academy talents and experienced first-team squad players, responded with quick breaks of their own. The result was an open, end-to-end contest that delighted the neutral and provided plenty of talking points.

Goals and Key Moments

• Early breakthrough: Excelsior took the lead inside the first fifteen minutes after a well-worked corner routine ended with a header from close range.
• Sparta fightback: The visitors equalised just before half-time with a composed finish after a slick passing move, making it 1-1 at the break.
• Second-half surge: Excelsior reasserted control early in the second half, scoring twice in five minutes to open a 3-1 advantage.
• Late exchanges: Sparta pulled one back from the penalty spot, but Excelsior responded almost immediately with a fourth goal to seal a 4-2 victory.

Team Performances

Excelsior Maassluis impressed with their pressing intensity and willingness to commit numbers forward, particularly through wide areas. The coaching staff will be pleased with the side’s creativity in the final third, though there remain defensive moments to tighten before league action resumes. Sparta Rotterdam Reserves showed flashes of quality, especially in transitions, and individual performances from a few young players will have caught the eye of the senior staff.

Standout Players

Excelsior’s attacking midfielder had a hand in three of the four goals, combining intelligent movement with precise passing. For Sparta, their right winger was a constant threat in the first half and provided the cross that led to the opening goal. Overall, this friendly served its purpose as a competitive workout for both clubs.

With the international friendly series continuing, Excelsior Maassluis will take confidence from their attacking display, while Sparta Rotterdam Reserves will focus on the positive aspects of their play and the development opportunities provided by the match.