FC Twente Enschede 3-1 Pafos FC: Steijn double powers hosts to Conference League win

FC Twente Enschede secured a convincing 3-1 victory over Pafos FC in the UEFA Europa Conference League on 6 November 2026, with Sem Steijn scoring twice in a commanding performance at De Grolsch Veste. The Dutch side controlled long spells of the match, created the better chances and ultimately had too much quality in the final third for a Pafos team that battled hard but struggled to contain Twente’s movement.

The win gives Twente an important three points in the Conference League league phase and underlines their ambition to progress deep into the competition. Pafos, meanwhile, will look to regroup after a difficult evening in which they were often forced onto the back foot.

Match overview

Twente began the match on the front foot, pressing Pafos high and looking to win the ball back quickly in the attacking half. The home side’s early dominance was rewarded in the 12th minute when Sem Steijn found space in the box and opened the scoring with a composed finish. Twente continued to dictate play and doubled their lead in the 39th minute through Daan Rots, whose well-timed run was picked out by a precise pass.

Pafos improved after the break and enjoyed a better spell of possession, but Twente managed the game well and restored their control with Steijn’s second goal in the 64th minute. The visitors pulled one back in the 78th minute through Jairo, whose strike gave Pafos brief hope, but Twente’s defence held firm in the closing stages to secure a deserved victory.

Key moments

• 12’ – Steijn opens the scoring: Twente’s high press created uncertainty in the Pafos defence, and Steijn finished from close range.
• 39’ – Rots doubles the lead: A well-worked move down the right ended with Rots converting a clear chance.
• 64’ – Steijn strikes again: Twente’s leading scorer reacted quickest in the box to make it 3-0.
• 78’ – Jairo pulls one back: Pafos found a consolation with a well-struck effort, but the visitors could not build on it.

Tactical story

Twente’s 4-2-3-1 shape allowed them to dominate the midfield while keeping enough width to stretch Pafos’s back line. Steijn’s movement between the lines was particularly effective, and Twente’s willingness to play forward quickly meant Pafos were rarely able to settle into a defensive rhythm. The hosts also looked dangerous from set pieces, though all three goals came from open play.

Pafos attempted to defend in a compact block and frustrate Twente, but they struggled to close the space around Steijn and Rots. When the visitors did win the ball, they showed flashes of quality on the break, and Jairo’s goal was a reminder of their attacking threat. However, Pafos were too often forced to defend deep, and Twente’s sustained pressure eventually told.

Standout players

Steijn was the obvious difference-maker, with his two goals taking his tally in the competition to a strong total and giving Twente a reliable focal point in attack. Rots was also impressive, combining energy with end product, while Twente’s midfield duo controlled the tempo and protected the defence when Pafos tried to counter.

For Pafos, Jairo was their most dangerous player, and his goal was well taken. The goalkeeper made several saves to keep the scoreline respectable, but the visitors’ defensive unit will need to improve if they are to pick up points in the remaining league-phase matches.

What the result means

The three points strengthen Twente’s position in the Conference League table and give them confidence ahead of their next European fixture. A two-goal winning margin also improves their goal difference, which could be important in a tightly contested league phase. For Pafos, the defeat leaves them with work to do, but the performance showed enough attacking promise to suggest they can still be competitive in the competition.