Red card derails NEC’s Europa League hopes in Bodø

In the frigid northern stadium of Bodø, NEC Nijmegen arrived with Europa League hopes, only to see goalkeeper Gonzalo Crettaz shown a red card within minutes, leaving the Nijmegenaren a man down and setting the tone for a night that would end in a 3‑0 defeat.

Red card reshapes the contest

Dick Schreuder started with an attacking line‑up, featuring Dusan Tadic, Tjaronn Chery, Bryan Linssen and Kaj Sierhuis, but Sierhuis was withdrawn after a few minutes when Crettaz received a red card. The replacement keeper Nikolas Polster entered, making six saves as the game unfolded. The match report, captioned © Getty ImagesSpelers, listed the line‑up as FK Bodø/GlimtBODeinde30N against NEC45'+2' Fredrik André Bjørkan45'+5'Sondre Auklend73'Deveron FonvilleMet, highlighting the early disruption for the LeagueNEC side in the Europees competition, far from the Champions expectations.

Bodø seize early lead

In the first‑half stoppage time, Fredrik André Bjørkan (28) broke the deadlock, scoring after Crettaz’s dismissal, his first goal for Bodø after a brief spell at Feyenoord in 2022 where he made only one appearance. Bjø’s earlier contract at Feyenoord was short, De noted the impact. Three minutes later, Sondre Auklend set up the second, before Deveron Fonville sealed the third in the 73rd minute.

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NEC’s futile response

NEC pressed for an equaliser, with Linssen, now captain after Chery’s substitution, firing a long‑range effort that the Bodø keeper Haikin easily handled. A powerful strike from Berg hit the post, and Polster’s sixth save of the night kept the scoreline intact. Na the red card, the Nijmegenaren struggled to create clear chances.

Schreuder responded by bringing on two defenders at the start of the second half, yet Bodø only added one more goal after the break. The visitors’ defence, reinforced by Kabar on loan from Borussia Dortmund and Nuytinck, held firm, while Chery and Nejasmic never returned to the pitch.

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The defeat consigns NEC to the Europa League group stage, ending any dream of a Champions League berth this season. With a man down for most of the match, the Nijmegenaren’s European campaign now begins in the lower tier, underscoring the fine margins that separate the two competitions.