Mohamed Ihattaren delivered one of his most accomplished performances of the season on the pitch of NEC Nijmegen, with an impressive stat sheet: one goal and two assists. Thanks to their playmaker, Fortuna Sittard secured a valuable victory (3-2) at the Goffertstadion, despite a tense finish to the match.
A match initiated by NEC, then turned around by Ihattaren
NEC initially took the lead through Tjaronn Chery (19th minute), capitalizing on a strong start from the home team.
However, Fortuna quickly responded, with Ihattaren lighting the fuse: from a set piece, the attacking midfielder delivered a dangerous ball, perfectly exploited by Iván Márquez, who scored the equalizer (27th minute).
The turning point after the hour mark: Ihattaren shifts the match
Upon returning from the break, Fortuna raised their game. At the hour mark, Ihattaren punished NEC: a goal in the 59th minute, following an action where Dimitrios Limnios was credited with the assist.
Before Nijmegen could regroup, Ihattaren struck again: another assist, this time for Justin Hubner, who headed in to extend the lead (65th minute). Fortuna was then leading 1-3 and seemed to have taken control.
A scare in stoppage time, but Fortuna holds firm
NEC pushed until the end and reduced the deficit very late, with Bryan Linssen (90+3rd minute), adding suspense in the final seconds. But Fortuna held on to secure the essential: three important points earned away from home.
