Neestrup reaction as FCK start season with victory at Viborg

F.C. Copenhagen earned a dramatic win on the opening day of the 2025/26 Superliga season with a 3-2 result at Viborg on Friday.

Magnus Mattsson's 78th-minute penalty settled a game that saw more than 1,000 FCK away fans descend on Jutland.

Jeppe Grønning had opened the scoring for the hosts, before Elias Achouri forced home the equaliser at the third attempt.

Mohamed Elyounoussi put the Lions ahead with a smart header after the break, only for Mads Søndergaard to level things up for the hosts.

But FCK kept pressing for a winner and it came through Mattsson, who converted from the spot after being fouled in the box.

"We started really well today, and their first goal came out of the blue from a penalty, which I won't stand here and protest about," says FCK head coach Jacob Neestrup.

"I think the match would have developed very differently if we had got the first goal.

"However, I want to praise the players for the way they reacted to the goal and also after their second goal, which came out of nowhere too in a period when we were really good. We showed strong character there.

"We did a lot of good things on the ball today, but in the last 10-12 minutes we gave too much away, and Viborg are the best in those situations. Apart from that, I think we were the better team.

"We also had plenty of chances beyond our goals and probably hit the woodwork three times in the match, and at the end Corner (Andreas Cornelius) also had a great chance to close out the match.

"But season-opening matches are just different, and in general there is more that I am satisfied with than things that I think we need to improve."