ROTTERDAM (DA) — Lushendry Martes became the youngest defender to score in consecutive Eredivisie matches, according to Opta, putting Sparta Rotterdam ahead in a 3-2 home victory over Willem II.
At 18 years and 164 days, Martes reached the milestone with a 50th-minute goal at Het Kasteel, a week after scoring his first professional goal.
The right back started again for Rogier Meijer’s side and made it 2-1 when he found himself in position to finish during a scramble in Willem II’s penalty area. He had also threatened with a volley shortly before halftime.
Martes’ goal helped Sparta secure its first home league victory since beating FC Volendam on March 21. The result lifted the club to 12th place as it marked the stadium’s 110th anniversary.
Sparta had fallen behind to Tony Vilhena’s 17th-minute opener before Jens Toornstra equalized from close range in the 38th. That was the club’s 3,000th Eredivisie goal.
After Martes gave the hosts the lead, Toornstra supplied the cross for Milan Zonneveld to head in Sparta’s third in the 58th minute.
Willem II reduced the deficit through Uriël van Aalst with about 20 minutes remaining. Sparta goalkeeper Michael Brouwer then saved a Thomas Verheydt header as the visitors pushed for an equalizer.
Sparta held on and will host Ajax in its next league match.