Mohamed Ihattaren delivered a masterclass performance to guide Fortuna Sittard to a 3-2 away victory over ADO Den Haag in a thrilling Eredivisie encounter. The Dutch-Moroccan midfielder scored twice and provided an assist in a dominant display that secured three crucial points for the Limburg side at a sold-out WerkTalent Stadion.
ADO arrived at this fixture seeking their first win of the season after impressing with a 2-2 draw against Feyenoord, but Fortuna's attacking prowess quickly dismantled their hopes. The opening half hour saw cautious football, yet Ihattaren broke the deadlock in the 28th minute. After the ball fell kindly on the edge of the box, the midfielder's effort deflected off Milan Hokke and sailed beyond the goalkeeper for 0-1. Fortuna's precision continued moments later when Ihattaren's pinpoint cross found Lequincio Zeefuik, who glided a header into the net to extend the lead to 0-2 and establish complete control.
Ihattaren's Stunning Second Strike Seals Victory
ADO emerged with renewed intensity after the interval. Evan Rottier's delivery from the byline reached Yannick Eduardo, who turned home a well-taken finish to reduce the deficit to 1-2 within fifteen minutes of the restart. However, ADO's momentum evaporated almost immediately. Ihattaren struck with devastating precision from approximately 25 metres, his left-footed drive curling magnificently under the crossbar to restore Fortuna's two-goal cushion and leave the hosts reeling.
The home side refused to surrender entirely. Jesse Bal headed in Juho Kilo's cross in the ninetieth minute to make it 2-3 and set up a tense finale, but the equaliser never materialized. The defeat leaves ADO in seventeenth place with just one point from their opening matches, alongside FC Utrecht, Willem II, and SC Cambuur. Fortuna, meanwhile, move up the table with a vital away victory that underscores Ihattaren's impact as a creative force in the Eredivisie this season.
