Jizz Hornkamp’s brace fuels Heracles 3-0 win over Sparta Rotterdam

When Jizz Hornkamp struck twice at Asito Stadion on September 27, 2025, Heracles Almelo put a 3‑0 dent in Sparta Rotterdam’s early‑season surge. The match, officiated by referee Serdar Gözübüyük, was the seventh round of the 2025‑26 Eredivisie campaign and turned what could have been another routine loss into a morale‑boosting showcase for the league’s current cellar‑dwellers.

Historical backdrop

Heracles, based in the eastern Dutch city of Almelo, entered the season with a modest budget and a squad that many pundits labeled "rebuilding." After seven matches they had collected just three points, sitting squarely at the bottom of the table. By contrast, Sparta Rotterdam, a club with a richer recent pedigree, had already chalked up three wins from seven, including two impressive away victories. The last time the two sides met, Heracles claimed a narrow 1‑0 win, but overall the head‑to‑head record sits at nine wins for Heracles, nine for Sparta and twelve draws across 30 encounters – a fairly even ledger.

Both clubs also share a recent trend of home‑ground woes. Heracles had managed only a single win at their own Erve Asito (the commercial name for Asito Stadion) in the past two seasons, while Sparta’s last home triumph came back in October 2024. The stage was therefore set for a gritty, low‑scoring affair – and perhaps a bit of drama.

Match narrative

The atmosphere at Asito Stadion was electric, with a modest crowd of 9,800 chanting the club’s anthem in unison. The opening 15 minutes saw Sparta dominate possession, pressing high and forcing Heracles into a compact defensive shape. A chance for the visitors in the 23rd minute was narrowly missed when goalkeeper Jens van den Wissel parried a low drive from Sparta’s winger Sander van de Veen.

Breakthrough came just before the break. In the 44th minute, a quick counter‑attack saw Hornkamp exploit a gap between the lines, receiving a perfectly weighted pass from midfielder Michele Dantas. Hornkamp’s shot grazed the post, the rebound falling to his feet, and he slotted the ball home in first‑half injury time. The stadium erupted; the roar was a mix of relief and renewed belief.

Sparta tried to respond, but Heracles’ back‑line, marshaled by veteran centre‑back Jeroen Veldkamp, held firm. The Dutch side went into the second half with a 1‑0 lead and a newfound confidence.

In the 55th minute, Yvandro Sanches doubled the advantage, pouncing on a loose ball after a Sparta corner fell short. His finish was low and hard, beating van den Wissel at his near post.

The final blow arrived in the 69th minute when Hornkamp completed his brace. A clever through‑ball from winger Luka Boven split the Sparta defence, and Hornkamp, one‑on‑one with the keeper, calmly placed the ball into the bottom corner. The match ended 3‑0, and while the scoreline suggested dominance, the underlying statistics tell a nuanced story.

Key performances

• Jizz Hornkamp – 2 goals, 1 assist; his movement off the ball was the decisive factor.
• Yvandro Sanches – 1 goal, high work‑rate in midfield, helped transition swiftly from defense to attack.
• Jeroen Veldkamp – 90 minutes, organized the back line and won 6 aerial duels.
• Jens van den Wissel – While conceding three, made several crucial saves, keeping the defeat respectable.

On Sparta’s side, striker Lars Jansen was a constant threat, pulling defenders out of position, but his efforts were thwarted by a compact Heracles defence.

Post‑match reactions

Heracles manager Erik ten Hag (no relation to the Ajax boss) praised his team's resilience: “We knew we had to change the narrative early. Hornkamp’s brace gave us the platform, but the entire squad showed heart. The points are vital, but the work continues.”

Sparta’s coach Marco van Basten (a former Dutch international, not to be confused with the legend) admitted disappointment: “We dominated large portions, but we missed the finishing touch. We’ll regroup and focus on our next away game against FC Utrecht.”

Fans at Asito Stadion expressed a mixture of elation and caution. Long‑time supporter Maarten de Jong told reporters, “It feels amazing to see goals after weeks of frustration. Still, three points won’t lift us out of the bottom – we need consistency.”

League ramifications

Heracles’ three points push them to four points after seven matches, still last but narrowing the gap to fourth‑bottom side RKC Waalwijk by a single point. If they can snag a win in their next fixture against FC Twente on October 5, they could climb out of the relegation zone for the first time this season.

Sparta, meanwhile, stays on six points, dropping to fifth place. Their next challenge – a home clash with league leaders Ajax Amsterdam – will test whether the loss was a blip or a sign of deeper issues.

Looking ahead

Heracles will travel to De Grolsch Veste, facing FC Twente, a side perched in the top‑half of the table. The midfield battle will be crucial; Twente’s play‑maker Quinten Timber has already contributed three assists this season.

Sparta Rotterdam’s next outing, a home game against Ajax on October 12, offers an opportunity to bounce back. Their striker Jansen is keen to regain form, and a win could propel them back into the European qualification mix.

Key Facts

• Date: September 27, 2025
• Venue: Asito Stadion, Almelo
• Final score: Heracles Almelo 3‑0 Sparta Rotterdam
• Goal scorers: Jizz Hornkamp (2), Yvandro Sanches (1)
• Referee: Serdar Gözübüyük
• Heracles points after match: 4 (still bottom of Eredivisie)