Denzel Dumfries scored a goal at the death to snatch a 1-1 draw for PSV against VVV-Venlo on Sunday afternoon in their first victory in a competitive match in 2020.
One single goal, scored from the penalty spot by Johnatan Opoku, looked enough to separate the two sides but Dumfries salvaged a point. It was obviously not the result PSV wanted. They created plenty of chances in the first half to put the result beyond doubt but lacked ruthlessness in front of goal and VVV Venlo’s goalkeeper Thorsten Kirschbaum pulled off a string of reflex saves.
Still goalless at the break
PSV dominated the opening exchanges and created several decent chances to open the scoring. Steven Bergwijn looked to capitalise on a mistake from Darfalou on just three minutes’ play. One on-one with VVV-Venlo goalkeeper Thorsten Kirschbaum, Bergwijn had the goal at his mercy, but the striker slipped on the much-debated artificial turf pitch in Venlo and the chance went begging. Cody Gakpo had a fierce shot saved by the VVV-Venlo goalkeeper and Bruma just failed to connect with the rebound.
At the other end, Ryan Thomas’ pass was intercepted by Jerome Sinclair but Timo Baumgartl made a goalline clearance to keep PSV in the game. PSV had another good chance to break the deadlock on 28 minutes. Gakpo turned provider for Bruma but Kirschbaum made a superb reflex save to deny the Portuguese. The home side pushed in the closing stages of the first half and Lars Unnerstal kept Nils Röseler’s powerful downward header out. HT: 0-0.
Dumfries snatches a point at the death
PSV also started the second half brightly and Steven Bergwijn had a chance seconds after the restart but he could not find the back of the net. Denzel Dumfries also went close but Kirschbaum comfortably gathered the right back’s header on the hour mark. Faber made his first change bringing on Jorrit Hendrix for Cody Gakpo in the 63rd minute. The home side went ahead on 68 minutes. Referee Danny Makkelie pointed to the spot when Simon Janssen went down under a challenge of Olivier Boscagli. Johnatan Opoku stepped up to convert the spot kick: 1-0.
Bruma made way for the 17-year old youngster Noni Madueke in the 73rd minute. PSV threw men forward in the closing stages in an attempt to snatch an equaliser but VVV-Venlo held on. Until the final minute of added time when Denzel Dumfries struck an equaliser. FT: 1-1. PSV will return to action on Thursday when they travel to Breda to meet NAC Breda in a KNVB Beker round of 16 tie (PSV.nl).
