EINDHOVEN, NETHERLANDS — Esmir Bajraktarevic announced himself with two first-half goals as PSV Eindhoven dismantled Heerenveen 4-1 in the KNVB Beker at Philips Stadion, booking their place in the next round with a performance that oozed class and control. The young forward's double inside the opening 32 minutes laid the foundation for a comprehensive victory that never looked in doubt despite Luca Oyen's late consolation for the visitors.
The home side wasted little time asserting their dominance. Bajraktarevic opened the scoring in the 23rd minute, capitalizing on PSV's early territorial advantage to beat the Heerenveen goalkeeper with a composed finish. The visitors barely had time to regroup before the same man struck again nine minutes later, doubling the advantage with another clinical conversion that showcased his predatory instincts in the box. PSV's attacking intent was clear from the opening whistle, and Bajraktarevic was the chief beneficiary of their relentless pressure.
Heerenveen's goalkeeper emerged as the busiest man on the pitch during a one-sided first half, forced into a string of saves as PSV launched wave after wave of attacks. The visitors managed just seven shots all evening compared to PSV's 20, a statistic that told the story of the match's territorial battle. Jerdy Schouten picked up a yellow card in the 28th minute as PSV's midfield enforcer ensured Heerenveen found no rhythm in possession, while Maas Willemsen was booked for the visitors eight minutes earlier as frustrations mounted.
The second half brought no respite for the beleaguered Heerenveen defense. Ivan Perisic added a third in the 54th minute, the experienced Croatian demonstrating his quality with a finish that effectively ended the contest as a competitive affair. Three minutes later, Paul Wanner made it four, capping a flowing move that highlighted PSV's superiority in every department. The hosts' clinical edge was remarkable—60% of their shots found the target, keeping Heerenveen's goalkeeper working overtime with seven saves throughout the evening.
Drama briefly flickered when Bajraktarevic stepped up for a penalty in the 68th minute, seeking to complete his hat-trick. The Heerenveen goalkeeper rose to the occasion, producing a crucial save to deny the PSV forward his moment of personal glory. It proved a temporary reprieve, though the damage had long been done. Luca Oyen, introduced as a substitute in the 63rd minute, pulled one back for Heerenveen in the 77th minute, but the goal served merely as a consolation, arriving far too late to spark any genuine comeback hopes.
PSV's dominance extended beyond the scoreline. They controlled 62% of possession, pinning Heerenveen back for long stretches and winning seven corners to their opponents' solitary set-piece opportunity. The midfield battle was comprehensively won by the hosts, with Schouten and his colleagues dictating tempo and territory throughout. Heerenveen managed just two shots on target all evening, a damning indictment of their inability to threaten Joel Drommel's goal with any consistency.
The closing stages saw PSV make a raft of substitutions, with Ryan Flamingo introduced at halftime and further changes following as the hosts managed their energy levels. Couhaib Driouech entered the fray in the 62nd minute, while Anass Salah-Eddine joined him a minute later. Kiliann Sildillia and Myron Boadu also saw action as PSV rotated their squad. Driouech picked up a late yellow card in the 85th minute, but by then the result had long been secured. Heerenveen's own substitutions—Maxence Rivera departing injured in the 36th minute, followed by Hristiyan Petrov and Oyen's introductions—failed to alter the trajectory of a match that belonged entirely to the hosts.
The statistics painted a picture of utter dominance. PSV's 12 shots on target from 20 attempts demonstrated their clinical approach, while Heerenveen's goalkeeper's seven saves highlighted the relentless pressure he faced. The visitors' defensive structure crumbled under sustained assault, unable to cope with PSV's movement and quality in the final third. Ten fouls apiece suggested a physical encounter, but the yellow cards told the story of Heerenveen's frustration and PSV's occasional overzealousness in a match they controlled from start to finish.
This result gives PSV a platform before facing FC Groningen on February 7. For Heerenveen, attention turns to bouncing back against FC Twente on the same date.