“Sven Mijnans breaks the deadlock with a header from Mateo Chávez's cross after Sparta's Tobias Lauritsen squanders a golden opportunity at the other end”
Pivotal“Kees Smit doubles AZ's advantage with a right-footed strike from the center of the penalty area”
Pivotal“Milan Zonneveld gives Sparta hope with a spectacular header into the top corner from Casper Terho's cross”
“Troy Parrott seals the victory for AZ in stoppage time to end any hopes of a Sparta comeback”
Pivotal
AZ
Sparta Rotterdam
Outstanding performance
AZ•AttackerAZ secured a commanding 3-1 victory over Sparta Rotterdam in a match that came alive in the final half-hour. The hosts struggled to break down a resilient Sparta defense for most of the contest, with substitute Sven Mijnans providing the breakthrough on 65 minutes with a well-placed header from Mateo Chávez's cross. Kees Smit doubled the advantage with a clinical finish from close range, before Milan Zonneveld's superb header from Casper Terho's cross briefly threatened a comeback. Troy Parrott sealed the points in stoppage time to maintain AZ's strong home form and continue Sparta's struggles on the road.
How entertaining was this match?
Isak Jensen from AZ earned a free kick in the defensive area.
Casper Terho from Sparta Rotterdam committed a foul.
assist: Casper Terho
Goal! AZ leads 2-1 against Sparta Rotterdam. Milan Zonneveld scores for Sparta with a header from the center of the box, placing it perfectly in the top left corner. The assist comes from Casper Terho, who delivered a great cross.
assist: Mees de Wit
Goal! AZ leads 2-0 against Sparta Rotterdam. Kees Smit scores with a right-footed shot from the middle of the penalty area.
Ayoub Oufkir from AZ committed a foul.
Bruno Martins Indi from Sparta Rotterdam was awarded a free kick in the defensive area.
Sven Mijnans from AZ has been awarded a free kick in the defensive area.
Marvin Young from Sparta Rotterdam committed a foul.
Marvin YoungYellow CardMarvin Young from Sparta Rotterdam has been shown a yellow card for committing a foul.
Isak Jensen from AZ has been awarded a free kick in the defensive zone.
Marvin Young from Sparta Rotterdam committed a foul.
Substitution for Sparta Rotterdam: Julian Baas replaces Pelle Clement.
Substitution for Sparta Rotterdam: Julian Baas comes on to replace Pelle Clement.
Substitution for Sparta Rotterdam: Milan Zonneveld comes on to replace Lushendry Martes.
Substitution for AZ: Mees de Wit comes on to replace Mateo Chávez.
Missed opportunity. Ayoub Oufkir from AZ takes a left-footed shot from outside the penalty area, but it goes over the goal and to the left.
Teo Quintero from Sparta Rotterdam has been awarded a free kick in the defensive area.
Ayoub Oufkir from AZ committed a foul.
Tobias Lauritsen from Sparta Rotterdam committed a foul.
Alexandre Penetra from AZ has been awarded a free kick in the defensive area.
Substitution for Sparta Rotterdam: Casper Terho comes on to replace Shunsuke Mito.
Substitution for Sparta Rotterdam: Alwande Roaldsøy comes on to replace Joshua Kitolano.
The attempt on goal was thwarted. Isak Jensen from AZ took a right-footed shot from the right side of the six-yard box, but it was successfully blocked. The assist came from Elijah Dijkstra.
assist: Mateo Chávez
Goal! AZ takes the lead with a score of 1-0 against Sparta Rotterdam. Sven Mijnans scores with a header from the middle of the box right into the heart of the goal. The assist comes from Mateo Chávez.
Opportunity squandered. Tobias Lauritsen from Sparta Rotterdam attempted a header from the center of the penalty area but failed to convert.
The pause has ended. They are set to resume play.
Match is currently on hold due to an injury to Joshua Kitolano from Sparta Rotterdam.
Kees Smit from AZ committed a foul.
Kees Smit from AZ committed a foul.
Missed opportunity! Mateo Chávez from AZ took a left-footed shot from outside the penalty area, but it went wide. The assist came from Isak Jensen.
Substitution for AZ: Sven Mijnans comes on in place of Jizz Hornkamp.
Teo Quintero from Sparta Rotterdam commits a handball.
Tobias Lauritsen from Sparta Rotterdam committed a foul.
Alexandre Penetra from AZ has been awarded a free kick in the defensive area.
Jizz Hornkamp from AZ committed a handball.
Offside call against Sparta Rotterdam. Mitchell van Bergen has been caught offside.
Tobias Lauritsen from Sparta Rotterdam earned a free kick in an offensive position.
Alexandre Penetra from AZ committed a foul.
Missed opportunity. Peer Koopmeiners from AZ attempted a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area, but it went wide to the left.
The attempt is thwarted. Isak Jensen from AZ takes a right-footed shot from the center of the penalty area, but it gets blocked.
Another offensive effort unfolds as Ayoub Oufkir from AZ takes a left-footed shot from outside the penalty area. Joël Drommel of Sparta Rotterdam makes a fantastic save, deflecting the ball away from the top center of the goal. The assist came from Elijah Dijkstra.
Corner awarded to AZ after a foul by Shunsuke Mito.
Missed opportunity. Lushendry Martes of Sparta Rotterdam took a shot with his right foot from the center of the penalty area, but it went wide.
The pause has ended. They are set to resume play.
Match is currently on hold due to an injury to Elijah Dijkstra from AZ.
A fresh offensive effort unfolds as Tobias Lauritsen from Sparta Rotterdam attempts a header from within the six-yard box. The shot, aimed at the left corner, is successfully stopped. The assist comes from Lushendry Martes, who delivered a precise cross.
Substitution for AZ: Kees Smit comes on to replace Matej Sín.
Substitution for AZ: Ayoub Oufkir is coming on to replace Kasper Boogaard.
The second half is underway with the score still tied at AZ 0, Sparta Rotterdam 0.
The first half has concluded with the score tied at AZ 0, Sparta Rotterdam 0.
The attempt is thwarted. Shunsuke Mito of Sparta Rotterdam fires a right-footed shot from the left side of the penalty area, but it gets blocked.
Joshua Kitolano from Sparta Rotterdam has been awarded a free kick in the defensive area.
Elijah Dijkstra from AZ committed a foul.
The fourth official has indicated that there will be five minutes of stoppage time.
Joshua Kitolano from Sparta Rotterdam committed a foul.
Elijah Dijkstra from AZ has been awarded a free kick in the defensive area.
Tobias Lauritsen from Sparta Rotterdam committed a foul.
Alexandre Penetra from AZ has been awarded a free kick in the defensive area.
The pause has ended. They are set to resume play.
Match interruption due to an injury to Lushendry Martes from Sparta Rotterdam.
Corner awarded to AZ after a foul by Bruno Martins Indi.
Missed opportunity! Troy Parrott from AZ took a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area, but it went wide. The assist came from Mateo Chávez.
Pelle Clement of Sparta Rotterdam has been shown a yellow card for committing a foul.
Troy Parrott from AZ earned a free kick in an offensive position.
Pelle Clement from Sparta Rotterdam committed a foul.
The pause has ended. They’re set to resume play.
Substitution for AZ: Elijah Dijkstra comes on to replace Wouter Goes, who is leaving due to an injury.
Match is currently on hold due to an injury to Wouter Goes from AZ.
Wouter GoesYellow CardWouter Goes from AZ has been shown a yellow card for committing a foul.
The pause has ended. They are set to resume play.
Match is currently paused due to an injury to Wouter Goes from AZ.
Opportunity wasted. Mitchell van Bergen from Sparta Rotterdam attempted a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area, but it sailed high and to the right of the goal. The assist came from Joshua Kitolano.
Corner kick awarded to Sparta Rotterdam after Isak Jensen allowed the ball to go out.
Corner kick awarded to Sparta Rotterdam after a foul by Billy van Duijl.
Mitchell van Bergen from Sparta Rotterdam earned a free kick in an offensive position.
Billy van Duijl from AZ committed a foul.
The pause has ended. They are set to resume play.
Match is currently paused due to an injury to Bruno Martins Indi from Sparta Rotterdam.
Jizz Hornkamp from AZ committed a foul.
Bruno Martins Indi from Sparta Rotterdam has been awarded a free kick in the defensive area.
Troy Parrott from AZ earned a free kick in an offensive position.
Bruno Martins Indi from Sparta Rotterdam committed a foul.
Another offensive push. Troy Parrott from AZ takes a right-footed shot from the right side of the penalty area, but Joël Drommel from Sparta Rotterdam makes a save in the bottom left corner. The assist came from Wouter Goes.
Corner awarded to Sparta Rotterdam after a foul by Billy van Duijl.
The attempt is thwarted. Shunsuke Mito from Sparta Rotterdam fires a right-footed shot from the right side of the penalty area, but it's blocked. The assist came from Joshua Kitolano.
Corner awarded to Sparta Rotterdam after Jeroen Zoet allowed the ball to go out.
Another offensive move unfolds. Bruno Martins Indi of Sparta Rotterdam heads the ball from the middle of the penalty area, but Jeroen Zoet, the AZ goalkeeper, makes a save right in the center of the goal. The assist came from Shunsuke Mito, who delivered a cross.
Corner kick awarded to Sparta Rotterdam after Mateo Chávez allowed the ball to go out of play.
Opportunity wasted. Shunsuke Mito from Sparta Rotterdam attempted a right-footed shot from the left side of the penalty area.
The pause has ended. They’re set to resume play.
The match is currently on hold due to an injury to Kasper Boogaard from AZ.
Joshua Kitolano from Sparta Rotterdam has been awarded a free kick in the defensive area.
Peer Koopmeiners from AZ committed a foul.
Jizz Hornkamp from AZ has earned a free kick in an offensive position.
Marvin Young from Sparta Rotterdam committed a foul.
Offside call against AZ. Jizz Hornkamp is caught in an offside position.
Corner kick awarded to Sparta Rotterdam after a foul by Billy van Duijl.
The first half is underway...
Sparta Rotterdam (5th, 37 points) visit AZ (6th, 36 points) in a crucial Eredivisie clash where the winner takes the upper hand in the European qualification race. With just one point separating the sides and both in contrasting form, this derby promises goals and drama.
