FC Twente emerged victorious in their Europa League first-leg encounter with Bodø/Glimt, clinching a 2-1 win in the dying moments.
Despite holding a long-standing lead, the Norwegian side unexpectedly equalized in the closing minutes.
However, just before the final whistle, FC Twente was awarded a penalty. Ricky van Wolfswinkel kept his composure and confidently converted, setting the Grolsch Veste stadium alight.
Early Lead for Twente
The match began in perfect fashion for FC Twente. In just the fifth minute, Sayfallah Ltaief netted his first goal for the club, putting the home side in the lead.
For a significant part of the game, the scoreboard remained unchanged as the match lacked major highlights.
Midway through the second half, it seemed Twente was coasting toward victory.
But in the closing stages, Bodø/Glimt’s captain Patrick Berg disrupted Twente’s plans, leveling the score with a surprise low strike in the 85th minute. It appeared the game would end in a draw until a last-minute twist.
In the final minute of added time, Twente was awarded a penalty after Daan Rots’ shot struck an opponent’s arm. Ricky van Wolfswinkel coolly slotted the penalty home, securing a hard-fought 2-1 victory.
Ricky van Wolfswinkel’s Reaction
Relieved after the dramatic win, Van Wolfswinkel admitted the pressure of taking a late penalty, “It wasn’t the most comfortable moment to take a penalty. I had already played a full match, but that ball just had to go in,” he told Ziggo Sport.
While pleased with the win, Van Wolfswinkel noted that Twente could have done more to extend their lead earlier, “We should have created more distance after the 1-0. We had enough chances, so that was a shame. After their unexpected equalizer, it was nice that we still got the penalty,” he said.
Looking ahead, Van Wolfswinkel acknowledged the upcoming challenge in Norway, “Bodø/Glimt might not be a world-renowned name, but they have an excellent team. They’re very good on the ball. We’re excited to go there. The first step has been taken. In the end, we must be satisfied.”
