Como-t for road - Algerian wizard Anis Hadj Moussa runs riot as ‘Family’ club destroys Arsenal legend

A spectacular night of Champions League football turned into an absolute nightmare for Italian side Como as a relentless Feyenoord attack completely tore their tactical plans to pieces under the bright European lights.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s Feyenoord side fought back heroically from a goal down to claim a massive, hard-fought victory over Serie A outfit Como in a five-goal thriller in Rotterdam. 

The explosive encounter kicked off with Assane Diao putting the visitors ahead with a clinical finish. However, the hosts responded almost immediately, with Gjivai Zechiel scoring a smart equaliser just two minutes later to turn the stadium into an absolute cauldron of noise.

The real drama unfolded right after the halftime break when Algerian international sensation Anis Hadj Moussa took absolute control of the pitch, terrorising the visitors and leaving Como's coaching staff completely helpless on the sidelines.

Feyenoord completely stepped on the gas in the second half, and Hadj Moussa became a total cheat code on the right wing. 

The explosive forward fired the Eredivisie leaders ahead in grand style, unleashing a powerful shot that uncharacteristically deflected off visiting goalkeeper Robert Sanchez into the back of the net to trigger wild celebrations.

Statistically, Hadj Moussa was an absolute monster on the night. The winger registered the most touches inside the opposition penalty box (11) and took the most shots in the game (5), forcing the UEFA Technical Observer Group to officially crown him the undisputed Player of the Match.

"He was a constant threat in the second half, scoring a great goal and being heavily involved in the third," UEFA officials stated. "Como simply had no answers or solutions in their desperate attempts to stop him."

Speaking to UEFA via Ziggo Sport immediately after the final whistle, a joyful Hadj Moussa revealed that the tactical freedom given to him by the coach allowed him to completely destroy his markers.

"In the second half, there was much more space on the pitch, so I could easily go one-on-one with the defender. That heavily suits my style of play," an ecstatic Hadj Moussa confessed.

The Algerian star concluded with an emotional message to the fans: "We played exactly like a family tonight. I give absolutely everything I have in my body for this team and for the club in every single game. The atmosphere in the stadium with the fans is completely crazy. I am just incredibly happy to be here."

While a late added-time substitute goal from Como's Tasos Douvikas reduced the deficit, it was way too late to deny Feyenoord their very first maximum points of the Champions League campaign, leaving the Italian debutants facing early tournament panic.