Goalkeeper scores 89th-minute penalty to sensationally keep Telstar in Eredivisie

Telstar's Ronald Koeman Jr. celebrates scoring the winning goal against FC Volendam
Telstar's Ronald Koeman Jr. celebrates scoring the winning goal against FC VolendamANP, ANP / Alamy / Profimedia

Goalkeeper Ronald Koeman Jr. sensationally kept Telstar in the Dutch Eredivisie after scoring an 89th-minute penalty that won his team the crucial game against FC Volendam.

FC Volendam and Telstar faced off in a match-up that directly decided each team's fate. FC Volendam trailed Telstar by two points and were in 16th, meaning they were virtually in the relegation play-offs.

The hosts got off to a hot start and took the lead inside two minutes via Anthony Descotte, who beat Ronald Koeman Jr. with a venomous shot in the bottom corner.

Telstar captain Danny Bakker got his team back alongside Volendam on the cusp of half-time, nodding in a Jeff Hardeveld free-kick and virtually keeping Telstar in the Eredivisie.

88th-minute penalty given to... the goalkeeper?

The second half promised to be one for the books, with all the drama in the world, and it wholly delivered. Koeman pulled off an excellent save when Descotte threatened to score his second, but would make headlines soon after.

A VAR review prompted Mark Nagtegaal to hand Telstar a penalty in the closing stages. Telstar had taken just three penalties in the Eredivisie prior to Sunday's game, with Danny Bakker and Soufiane Hetli both missing, while Bakker and Jeff Hardeveld had scored in the KNVB Beker.

Despite Bakker and Hardeveld still playing, Telstar manager Anthony Correia called up Ronald Koeman Jr. to take the decisive penalty. In the 89th minute and with the fate of Telstar on the line, Koeman buried the penalty in the bottom corner to seal the win and keep the club in the Eredivisie.

Telstar returned to the Eredivisie for the first time in 47 years after winning last season's promotion play-offs. The club from Velsen-Zuid spent 23 of the 34 rounds in the relegation zone, but finished 14th with Sunday's win.

FC Volendam head to the relegation play-offs and will face Willem II in a two-legged game to see who will play in the Eredivisie next season.

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