Feyenoord surged to a commanding 3-0 lead by half-time away to Heracles, with Algerian forward Hadj Moussa delivering a dazzling first-half display capped by two sublime goals.
The 20-year-old winger lit up the opening 45 minutes with a combination of technique, composure, and creativity that left the home defence in disarray.
His first goal arrived in the ninth minute and was a work of individual brilliance. Receiving the ball with defenders closing in, Moussa produced a sensational left-footed roulette turn to beat his marker in full stride.
With barely a moment to settle, he picked his spot and fired a low, precise left-footed shot past the goalkeeper from a tight angle to open the scoring in style.
Feyenoord’s momentum only grew from that moment. Dominating possession and exploiting Heracles’ frailties, they carved out chance after chance. The second goal came in the 36th minute, and once again it was Moussa at the heart of the action.
Positioned smartly near the penalty spot, he was picked out by Brazilian teammate Igor Paixão, who had danced past his marker on the left wing.
Moussa controlled the ball calmly with his right foot, feinted a shot with his left that left two defenders stranded, and then coolly slotted home a left-footed finish to double his tally and Feyenoord’s lead.
The brace underscored Hadj Moussa’s growing stature in the Eredivisie, as he continues to deliver performances that match his prodigious reputation.
Agile on the ball, decisive in the final third, and unafraid to express himself, the Algerian international has emerged as a key figure in Feyenoord’s attacking lineup.
His contributions were not just aesthetic but decisive, as they effectively put the game beyond Heracles before the interval. Feyenoord’s third goal followed shortly after, completing a dominant half for the Rotterdam-based side.
Despite the home side’s attempts to regroup and respond, the damage had already been done. Moussa’s technical display and composure in front of goal left the Heracles backline without answers, and his movement off the ball created space for teammates throughout the half.
It was a performance that will likely be replayed in highlight reels for weeks to come, not only for the quality of the goals but also for the intelligence with which they were taken.
Both finishes required not just skill, but patience and an eye for detail, qualities that are marking Moussa as a standout talent in the Dutch top flight.
Feyenoord’s coaching staff will be encouraged by the attacking fluency displayed, particularly from their youthful core.
With Hadj Moussa continuing to flourish, the club looks well positioned to maintain pressure in the race for European qualification as the season enters its final stretch.
For Heracles, meanwhile, the first half will serve as a reminder of the gulf in quality that still exists between them and the league’s upper tier.
They were simply unable to match the tempo or creativity of a Feyenoord side firing on all cylinders, led unmistakably by their Algerian star.
Heracles tritt gegen alles, was sich bewegt – doch Feyenoord lässt sich davon nicht beirren und trifft zum 0:2. Erneut ist es Hadj Moussa, der überlegt abschließt. Keinerlei Probleme für die Rotterdamer in Almelo. #HERFEY pic.twitter.com/oyKXyFBIMQ
— oranjefussball 🇳🇱 (@oranjefussball) May 3, 2025
