If you love soccer games that feel like rollercoasters, then PSV’s crazy 5-3 win against NEC Nijmegen is one you’d definitely enjoy. The Eredivisie champions had to fight through goals, injuries, drama, and even a missed penalty to escape Nijmegen with three points. It was the type of match that shows why soccer is the world’s most popular sport—full of action, emotions, and surprises from start to finish.

The Setup: Two Hot Teams Collide

PSV came into this match as the reigning Eredivisie champions. That means last season they finished at the very top of the Dutch league table. They’ve been one of the best teams in the Netherlands for decades, and their trophy cabinet is full of league titles, KNVB Cups, and even a famous European Cup (now called the Champions League) win in 1988.

Their opponent NEC Nijmegen isn’t as decorated, but they’ve been on fire at the start of the season. Before this game, NEC had won three of their first four matches and scored 14 goals in just those games. That’s an average of over 3.5 goals per game, which shows how dangerous they can be when attacking.

So, when PSV and NEC met in Nijmegen, everyone expected goals. And wow—did we get them.

Pepi Returns With a Bang

One of the biggest storylines before the game was the return of American striker Ricardo Pepi. Pepi, who used to play in the U.S. and the German Bundesliga, had been out with a serious ACL injury. These injuries often take months to heal, but manager Peter Bosz trusted him to start, even with a big Champions League match against Royale Union Saint-Gilloise just days away.

And Pepi didn’t waste any time proving why he belongs. In the 12th minute, he scored the opening goal by calmly placing the ball in the bottom corner. That kind of cool finishing is exactly what strikers are paid to do. For Pepi, it was the perfect comeback moment.

Trouble in Defense

But while Pepi was celebrating, PSV had bad news at the back. Defender Armando Obispo clashed with NEC’s Ahmetcan Kaplan and went down injured. He left the field bleeding and limping, and PSV had to bring on Ryan Flamingo earlier than expected. Injuries are part of the game, but losing a central defender can often open the door for opponents.

Goals, Goals, and More Goals

The first half became a blur of goals. First, PSV doubled their lead in the 30th minute when Ruben van Bommel (yes, the son of Dutch legend Mark van Bommel!) took advantage of a mistake from NEC’s Brayann Pereira. He ran straight at the goalkeeper, went around him, and scored easily to make it 2-0.

But NEC hit back almost instantly. Just two minutes later, winger Virgil Misidjan smashed in a shot to cut the deficit to 2-1. The home fans went wild.

Their joy didn’t last long though, because PSV’s creative midfielder Joey Veerman scored an absolute beauty in the 33rd minute. He curled the ball into the top corner from outside the box. That goal restored PSV’s two-goal cushion at 3-1.

By halftime, fans already felt like they’d seen a full game’s worth of action. But the best (or craziest) was yet to come.

Second Half Madness

Only four minutes into the second half, Pepi struck again. This time he used his head, connecting with a cross from Ivan Perišić—the experienced Croatian international who joined PSV this summer. That made it 4-1, and most people thought the champions were cruising to victory.

But NEC didn’t give up. Just four minutes later, Youssef El Kachati unleashed a rocket shot from long range to beat PSV goalkeeper Matej Kovář. That cut the score to 4-2 and gave NEC new life.

Then came one of the most controversial moments of the match. NEC midfielder Tjaronn Chery, who is 37 years old but still deadly with his left foot, scored to make it 4-3. But PSV players were furious. They argued that NEC had taken the throw-in from the wrong spot—about ten meters forward. Referee Danny Makkelie allowed the goal to stand, and the game suddenly became very tense.

New Signing, New Goal

Just when NEC thought they had a real chance to shock the champions, PSV’s new striker Myron Boadu made his mark. Boadu had just come off the bench to replace Pepi, and within three minutes he scored a header from a Joey Veerman corner. That goal made it 5-3 in the 72nd minute and gave PSV some breathing space again.

Missed Penalty Drama

But the chaos wasn’t finished. NEC were awarded a penalty late in the game, giving Chery the chance to score again and make it 5-4. The pressure was huge, but Chery’s shot hit the crossbar and bounced out. The entire PSV team and their fans sighed in relief.

In the final minutes, PSV held on and secured the victory. It was messy, dramatic, and exhausting, but also the kind of game fans remember for a long time.

What’s Next?

For PSV, this win was big because it kept their Eredivisie title defense on track. But they won’t have much time to celebrate. Their next match is a tough one: the start of their UEFA Champions League group stage campaign against Royale Union Saint-Gilloise on September 16th.

Champions League games are always special. They bring together the best clubs from across Europe. PSV has a rich history in this competition, but it’s been years since they made a deep run. Fans are hoping this squad, with Pepi, Veerman, Boadu, and Perišić, can make some noise on the biggest stage.

Soccer Facts Combo

• Most goals in a single Eredivisie match: Ajax once won 12-1 against Vitesse in 1972! PSV’s 5-3 win wasn’t that extreme, but eight goals in one game is still rare.

• Average goals in the Eredivisie: The Dutch league is known for attacking play. The average goals per game are usually higher than in Italy’s Serie A or Spain’s La Liga.

• American players in Europe: Pepi is part of a new generation of U.S. soccer stars playing abroad, including Christian Pulisic at AC Milan and Weston McKennie at Juventus.

Final Whistle

At the end of the day, PSV’s 5-3 win over NEC Nijmegen was more than just another league match. It was proof that champions can dig deep, even in chaotic situations. NEC showed courage and fight, but PSV had the extra quality to finish the job.

For middle school fans learning about soccer, this game is the perfect example of why people love the sport so much. One moment you think it’s over, and the next moment the underdog fights back. With eight goals, a missed penalty, and plenty of drama, this match had everything.

And as PSV now looks toward their Champions League adventure, fans can only hope for more exciting nights like this one.