PSV Eindhoven Women 4-0 De Graafschap (W): Champions Cruise to Comfortable Victory

PSV Eindhoven Women delivered a dominant performance at the PSV Campus De Herdgang, thrashing De Graafschap (W) 4-0 in the Netherlands Eredivisie Vrouwen on 26 September 2026. The win reinforces PSV’s title credentials, while De Graafschap remain rooted in the lower half of the table.

Match Overview

From the first whistle, PSV imposed their game, pressing high and moving the ball quickly. The deadlock was broken in the 18th minute when star forward Joëlle Smits latched onto a through ball and calmly slotted past the goalkeeper. The floodgates opened after the break. Esmee Brugts doubled the lead with a curling effort in the 52nd minute, before Smits grabbed her second with a header from a corner in the 68th. Substitute Aniek Nouwen completed the scoring in the 84th minute, finishing off a slick team move.

Key Moments

• 18’ – Goal! Joëlle Smits opens the scoring with a clinical finish.
• 52’ – Goal! Esmee Brugts curls a shot into the top corner.
• 68’ – Goal! Smits heads home from a corner for 3-0.
• 84’ – Goal! Aniek Nouwen taps in after a flowing move.
• 90’ – De Graafschap’s best chance falls to Lisa van der Most, who fires wide.

Tactical Story

PSV set up in a 4-3-3, with Brugts and Smits interchanging fluidly across the front line. De Graafschap tried to defend deep in a 5-4-1, but they struggled to cope with PSV’s relentless overlaps from full-backs. The midfield trio of Sherida Spitse, Jill Roord, and Inessa Kaagman controlled the tempo, constantly feeding the forwards. Once PSV scored the second, the visitors’ resistance crumbled. The clean sheet was rarely threatened, with PSV goalkeeper Nicky van den Abbeele a spectator for long periods.

Standout Players

• Joëlle Smits (PSV) – Two goals and an assist; a constant menace.
• Esmee Brugts (PSV) – Energetic display, capped with a superb goal.
• Sherida Spitse (PSV) – Dictated play from midfield with precise passing.

League Standings Impact

PSV temporarily move to the top of the Eredivisie Vrouwen standings, maintaining their unbeaten start to the season. De Graafschap remain in 10th place, and this heavy defeat underscores the gap between the league’s elite and the rest. The head-to-head record is overwhelmingly in PSV’s favour, with this being their fifth consecutive win over De Graafschap.