5 – 2
“Dave Kwakman opens the scoring for AZ with a right-footed effort from outside the box after a string of earlier attempts finally paid off.”
“Go Ahead Eagles hit back almost immediately through Victor Edvardsen, levelling the game at 1-1 with a composed finish from the center of the box.”
“Ro-Zangelo Daal restores AZ's lead with a well-struck effort from outside the box, putting the hosts back in front right before halftime and shifting momentum decisively.”
Pivotal“AZ extend their lead early in the second half when Lewis Schouten converts from close range following a corner, taking the game further out of reach for Go Ahead Eagles.”
Pivotal
AZ Alkmaar
Go Ahead Eagles
Outstanding performance
AZ Alkmaar•MidfielderAZ Alkmaar overwhelmed Go Ahead Eagles with clinical finishing and relentless attacking pressure, racking up 20 shots to their visitors' 10 and controlling the game with 66 dominance rating against 47. After trading blows early - Kwakman's opener cancelled out by Edvardsen - AZ took control through Daal's strike just before the break and never looked back, adding three more in the second half through Schouten, Chávez, and a second from Daal. Go Ahead Eagles' Suray grabbed a stoppage-time consolation, but by then the damage was long done. The result lifts AZ's spirits after a difficult run reflected in their poor pre-match position, while Go Ahead Eagles will need to quickly regroup given their misfiring form heading into this fixture.
How entertaining was this match?
AZ win a corner after Julius Dirksen concedes.
AZ wins a corner after Richonell Margaret concedes.
Substitution for Go Ahead Eagles: Thibo Baeten comes on for Søren Tengstedt.
Goal! AZ leads 4-1 against Go Ahead Eagles. Mateo Chávez scores for AZ with a left-footed shot from the left side of the box.
Attempt saved. Mateo Chávez from AZ has his left-footed shot from the left side of the box saved.
Substitution for AZ: Jordy Clasie comes on for Dave Kwakman.
Substitution for AZ: Calvin Stengs comes on for Weslley Patati.
Attempt missed. Kees Smit from AZ had a left-footed shot from the center of the box after a corner.
Corner awarded to AZ after Kjetil Haug concedes.
Offside called against Go Ahead Eagles. Stefán Sigurdarson is caught offside.
Weslley Patati from AZ commits a foul.
Dean James from Go Ahead Eagles wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution for Go Ahead Eagles: Richonell Margaret comes on for Victor Edvardsen.
Substitution for Go Ahead Eagles: Eus Waayers comes on for Alfons Sampsted.
Attempt missed. Mexx Meerdink from AZ had a header from very close range that went just to the right. Weslley Patati provided the assist.
Victor Edvardsen from Go Ahead Eagles commits a handball.
Attempt saved. Ro-Zangelo Daal from AZ has a right-footed shot from the left side of the box, but Kjetil Haug from Go Ahead Eagles saves it in the top right corner. The assist was provided by Mateo Chávez.
AZ wins a corner after Kjetil Haug concedes.
Attempt missed. Søren Tengstedt from Go Ahead Eagles takes a left-footed shot from outside the box, but it goes high and wide to the left. Victor Edvardsen provided the assist.
Søren Tengstedt from Go Ahead Eagles is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
Mateo Chávez from AZ commits a foul.
assist: Mateo Chávez
Goal! AZ lead 3-1 against Go Ahead Eagles. Lewis Schouten scores for AZ with a right-footed shot from very close range after a corner.
AZ win a corner after Dean James concedes.
Attempt blocked. Ro-Zangelo Daal from AZ has a right-footed shot from the left side of the box blocked. Kees Smit provided the assist.
Corner awarded to AZ after a concession by Stefán Sigurdarson.
Attempt missed by Mexx Meerdink from AZ, who took a left-footed shot from the center of the box.
Substitution for Go Ahead Eagles: Stefán Sigurdarson comes on for Erik Flataker.
The second half begins with the score at AZ 2, Go Ahead Eagles 1.
First half ends with AZ leading 2-1 against Go Ahead Eagles.
The fourth official has indicated there will be 2 minutes of added time.
Attempt missed. Mexx Meerdink from AZ takes a left-footed shot from the center of the box but misses to the left.
Wouter Goes from AZ misses a header from a tough angle on the right, sending it close but to the right. He was assisted by Peer Koopmeiners, who provided a cross after a corner.
AZ win a corner after Evert Linthorst concedes.
Delay is over, and they are ready to continue.
The match is delayed due to an injury to Peer Koopmeiners from AZ.
Foul committed by Peer Koopmeiners of AZ.
Julius Dirksen from Go Ahead Eagles is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
Attempt saved. Ro-Zangelo Daal from AZ has a right-footed shot from outside the box, but Kjetil Haug from Go Ahead Eagles saves it in the top right corner. The assist comes from Weslley Patati.
assist: Dave Kwakman
Goal! AZ leads 2-1 against Go Ahead Eagles. Ro-Zangelo Daal scores for AZ with a right-footed shot from outside the box.
Attempt missed. Dave Kwakman from AZ takes a left-footed shot from outside the box, but it goes high and wide to the left. He was assisted by Ro-Zangelo Daal.
Weslley Patati from AZ has a right-footed shot from outside the box, but it is blocked. Elijah Dijkstra provided the assist.
Joris Kramer of Go Ahead Eagles commits a foul.
Mexx Meerdink from AZ is awarded a free kick in the attacking half.
Peer Koopmeiners from AZ commits a handball.
Evert Linthorst of Go Ahead Eagles commits a foul.
Dave Kwakman from AZ wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Attempt saved. Melle Meulensteen from Go Ahead Eagles has a left-footed shot from outside the box that is saved.
Goal! The match is now 1-1 between AZ and Go Ahead Eagles. Victor Edvardsen scores for Go Ahead Eagles with a right-footed shot from the center of the box.
Foul committed by Dean James of Go Ahead Eagles.
Elijah Dijkstra from AZ is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
Kees Smit's right-footed shot from outside the box is blocked. The attempt was assisted by Peer Koopmeiners.
Victor Edvardsen of Go Ahead Eagles commits a foul.
Peer Koopmeiners from AZ wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Ro-Zangelo Daal from AZ commits a foul.
Alfons Sampsted from Go Ahead Eagles is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
Goal! AZ leads 1-0 against Go Ahead Eagles. Dave Kwakman scores for AZ with a right-footed shot from outside the box.
Weslley Patati's left-footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Kees Smit provided the assist.
Dave Kwakman from AZ has a right-footed shot from the right side of the box, but it is blocked.
Attempt missed. Dave Kwakman from AZ takes a right-footed shot from outside the box.
First half begins.
Eredivisie leaders AZ Alkmaar welcome second-placed Go Ahead Eagles to the AFAS Stadion in an early-season top-of-the-table clash that could set the tone for the title race. Both sides are unbeaten through the opening rounds, making Saturday's contest a genuine battle between the division's two hottest teams right now.
