Feyenoord claimed the first win for the Eredivisie teams in the Champions League as they got the better of Italian upstarts Como 1907 in a five-goal thriller.
After a cagey opening, Como took the lead when Assane Diao won a physical challenge on the left with Javi Lopez and drilled the ball past Tjark Ernst from a tight angle.
Feyenoord were level within two minutes as Gjivai Zechiël span away from his marker on the edge of the penalty area and lofted a shot into the top corner.
The visitors suffered a setback when Diao limped off a few minutes later, while Feyenoord grew in confidence, with Givairo Read and Lopez drawing fingertip saves from Como goalkeeper Robert Sanchez just before half-time.
Feyenoord went ahead with the first real chance after the interval, as Anis Haji Moussa cut in from the right and found the bottom corner of Sanchez’ net.
Ten minutes from the end the Algerian appeared to have put the result beyond doubt when his long-range shot came back off the post and deflected in off the goalkeeper’s back to make the score 3-1.
Tasos Douvikas’s injury-time strike for Como ensured a tense last few minutes, but Feyenoord were not to be denied.
Zechiël said the quick reply after Diao put the visitors ahead was crucial for his teammates’ morale. “That gave the team and the stadium the feeling we were going to win today.”
He was full of praise for Hadj Moussa, who had a decisive role in both second-half goals. “Anis is a top-class player. We’re really pleased that he’s still available for us this season.”
The result lifts Feyenoord to 23rd place in the 36-team table, while their next match is a trip to Real Betis next Wednesday, October 21.
