Feyenoord claimed their first Champions League points of the season in thrilling fashion on Wednesday night, coming from behind to beat Como 3-2 at De Kuip as Algerian winger Anis Hadj Moussa produced a match-winning performance.
Our Wednesday roundup had picked this early kick-off as one of the night's most open ties, and it delivered. Como struck first, Feyenoord hit back inside two minutes, and after half-time Hadj Moussa took the game away from Cesc Fabregas's side — scoring the go-ahead goal and forcing the own goal that finally settled a contest the visitors almost rescued at the death.
Diao Shocks De Kuip — Then Limps Off
Como's opener came with their first real attack. With 18 minutes played, Assane Diao outmuscled Javi Lopez down the right and drove the ball inside the far post, Jacobo Ramon credited with the assist, to silence De Kuip. It was a goal good enough to change the game — but it cost Como their scorer. Diao was injured in the aftermath and, after trying to continue, was replaced by Jesus Rodriguez just five minutes later.
Feyenoord's response was instant. Barely two minutes after falling behind, Gjivai Zechiel collected Luciano Valente's pass and rifled a spectacular equaliser from the edge of the penalty area, leaving Robert Sanchez with no chance. The hosts pressed for the rest of the half, and Sanchez had to tip a looping Lopez header over the bar with the last touch before the break.
Hadj Moussa Turns It Around
Giovanni van Bronckhorst changed the game at half-time, sending on Gaoussou Diarra for Valente — and the substitute made the difference within seven minutes. Diarra switched the play to Hadj Moussa on the right, and the Algerian cut inside and placed his finish past Sanchez for 2-1. As Sportsnet's roundup put it, the winger was the outstanding player on the pitch, and Voetbalzone's ratings agreed, marking him the clear standout of the night.
Fabregas answered with a triple substitution on the hour and Como should have levelled: Anastasios Douvikas, one of the replacements, headed over unmarked from six yards, while Lucas Da Cunha saw a snapshot smothered by Tjark Ernst. But every time Como built momentum, Hadj Moussa broke it, carrying Feyenoord up the pitch almost single-handedly.
Sanchez Own Goal Settles a Nervy Finish
The decisive moment arrived in the 81st minute, and it summed up Sanchez's miserable evening. Hadj Moussa's strike from the edge of the area took a heavy deflection off Ramon, bounced off the upright and ricocheted in off the goalkeeper's back — officially a Sanchez own goal, as Football Italia's report confirmed, but a goal the Algerian made entirely on his own.
Even then it was not finished. Deep in stoppage time, Mika Marmol mishit an interception and Douvikas pounced to make it 3-2 with virtually the last kick, setting up a frantic final minute before Feyenoord could finally celebrate.
So What Does It Mean?
After the 5-1 humbling at Barcelona on matchday one, Feyenoord needed this: three points, a fourth straight win in all competitions, and a wide player in Hadj Moussa who looks ready to own this stage. The Dutch leaders now travel to Real Betis next Wednesday knowing another win puts them firmly in the play-off picture. Como, who stunned RB Leipzig in their opener, are also on three points — but a second-half collapse like this, and an injury to Diao, is a worrying way to head into a home game against Manchester United. The other early game produced even more goals, as Barcola's hat-trick fired Liverpool to a 6-3 win at LASK.
Beyond the Final Whistle: The scoreline will say Feyenoord won this because of a freak own goal, but that misses the point — Hadj Moussa was the best player on the pitch by a distance, scored one, forced another and tormented Como for 90 minutes. African wingers have lit up this competition for years, and on this evidence the Algerian is the next name on that list. Can Hadj Moussa carry Feyenoord into the knockouts? Tell us in the comments.
