Goalkeeper Ronald Koeman Jr scores dramatic last-gasp penalty in Eredivisie relegation battle as SC Telstar survive the drop
By Ben Southby
Updated 18/05/2026 at 09:53 GMT+1
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Ronald Koeman Jr, the son of ex-Barcelona and Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman, was at the centre of a dramatic moment in the Eredivisie relegation scrap on Sunday.
Ronald Koeman Jr
Image credit: Getty Images
The 30-year-old converted an 88th-minute penalty to seal a 2-1 comeback victory over FC Volendam, as his spot-kick put the icing on the cake as SC Telstar staved off the prospect of relegation to the Dutch second division.
And what makes the story even more interesting is that Koeman is a goalkeeper.
Telstar travelled to fellow survival hopefuls Volendam on the final day of the Dutch top-flight regular season, on a run of three games without defeat, with hopes of survival.
In a nightmare start, Koeman found himself picking the ball out of his own net after just two minutes when Anthony Descotte gave the hosts an early lead.
Danny Bakker equalised for Telstar on the stroke of half-time, with the club needing a point to stay up, before the late drama unfolded at Kras Stadion.
Just like the Premier League in recent weeks, VAR was heavily involved in the high-stakes battle, as the technology stepped in to award Telstar a late spot-kick.
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Joint top scorers for Telstar, Jochem Ritmeester van de Kamp and Patrick Brouwer - with seven goals each - were both on the pitch, but neither stepped up in one of the most critical moments in the club's history.
Instead, it was Koeman from in between the sticks, with the three points there for the taking and the weight of the surname of a Dutch great on his shoulders.
Koeman slotted the ball into the bottom corner to seal victory for Telstar, while condemning Volendam to a relegation qualifier.
Ronaldo Koeman Jr scores a late penalty to save Telstar from relegation.
Image credit: Getty Images
A tearful Koeman, whose mother is dealing with breast cancer, said: ”I think my father and mother are very proud. It was a tough time.”
He added: ”It was a rollercoaster, I took it once back in my youth, but I missed.
”I shot it in well, man, my heart rate was okay. I was first on the list and it was tense, but I hit the target.
”It was a tough year, but a great experience with the team. We will never forget this.”
Koeman's manager, Anthony Correia, was left so impressed that he insisted his goalkeeper was cast in bronze.
”Ronald Koeman Jr. is a legend; he deserves a statue," Correia said. "It’s really cool that he did it. The keeper can dive to the corner, but goodbye! He shot it so well.
”I’m normally not much of a drinker, but I am going to have a small beer now. They did a great job. This feels like a championship. I didn’t think we would get 37 points.”
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