Shaqueel van Persie made a memorable debut in senior football by scoring his first two goals for Feyenoord, but it was not enough to prevent a dramatic late 3-4 derby defeat to Sparta Rotterdam in the Eredivisie.

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Late Comeback from Feyenoord Falls Short

Feyenoord fell behind early in the Rotterdam derby, with Joshua Kitolano and Mitchell van Bergen giving Sparta a two-goal cushion. In a bold move, Feyenoord manager Robin van Persie—Shaqueel’s father and former Arsenal and Manchester United striker—brought the 19-year-old forward on in the 63rd minute to spark a comeback.

Hwang In-beom quickly reduced the deficit, scoring within a minute of Shaqueel’s introduction. However, Sparta regained control as Shunsuke Mito restored their two-goal advantage, making it 3-1.

In the dying minutes, Shaqueel van Persie produced a remarkable performance, netting two spectacular goals, including an overhead kick, to seemingly secure a 3-3 draw for the hosts.

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Dramatic Ending Secures Sparta Victory

Just when Feyenoord were celebrating a hard-fought comeback, Joshua Kitolano struck again in the third minute of added time, securing a 4-3 victory for Sparta Rotterdam. The last-gasp goal dashed Feyenoord’s hopes of salvaging a point in a thrilling derby encounter.

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Feyenoord’s Position in the Eredivisie

Despite the defeat, Feyenoord remain second in the Eredivisie table, though 16 points behind league leaders PSV Eindhoven. The team will be looking to bounce back in their next fixtures to keep their title hopes alive.

Shaqueel van Persie’s performance, however, provides a bright spark for the future, signaling his potential to become a key figure for Feyenoord in the seasons to come.

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Spotlight on Shaqueel van Persie

The 19-year-old’s emergence marks another chapter in the van Persie football legacy. His technical ability, composure in front of goal, and knack for spectacular finishes—like his overhead kick—demonstrate why he is considered one of Feyenoord’s most promising young talents.

Manager Robin van Persie praised his son after the game:

“Shaqueel showed incredible maturity and talent. Scoring your first senior goals in such a high-pressure derby is a sign of his potential. We’ll build on this performance moving forward.”