Anis Hadj Moussa scores twice as Feyenoord thrash Utrecht 5-0

Anis Hadj Moussa scored twice as Feyenoord recorded a 5-0 victory over Utrecht, their best start to an Eredivisie match since 2017.

The Rotterdam club were 2-0 ahead inside 10 minutes, with Hadj Moussa and Nacho Ferri getting the goals. It was Feyenoord’s fastest two-goal opening since Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side led Roda JC Kerkrade 2-0 after only five minutes in 2017.

Hadj Moussa added his second after just over half an hour, with the Algeria international finishing in almost identical fashion to his first goal.

Starting from the right, he was left unmarked after Arthur Zagre created the space and found the ball at the near post. Hadj Moussa made no mistake, sending his finish into the corner.

Utrecht manager Correia responded by making three changes at half-time, but Feyenoord extended their advantage soon afterwards.

Mika Marmol was stopped while attempting to continue an attack when Niklas Vesterlund handled the ball. Feyenoord captain Luciano Valente converted the resulting penalty to make it 4-0.

Utrecht had already been forced into a change before the interval when Artem Stepanov suffered an ankle injury. The forward left the pitch in tears, and the setback has put his first Ukraine appearance in serious doubt. Stepanov had received his first call-up earlier this month.

With Feyenoord four goals ahead, the contest lost much of its tension. Utrecht failed to take advantage of their better opportunities after the break, as Dani de Wit saw a shot blocked and substitute Yoann Cathline was unable to turn the ball in from close range.

The hosts completed the scoring when Gaoussou Diarra netted his first goal for the club. He was set up by Zechiel, who provided an assist while national team manager Xavi Hernandez watched on.

Diarra’s finish gave Feyenoord a historic margin of victory. They had beaten a Utrecht opponent by five goals only once previously in the history of the Eredivisie, in 1974.

A sixth goal was not forthcoming, unlike in an earlier meeting between Feyenoord and DOS, Utrecht’s predecessor, but the missed opportunity did little to dampen the Rotterdam club’s mood.

Feyenoord now enter the international break with confidence. Their next match is against AZ on 10 October, while Utrecht will return to action against Willem II.