AZ Alkmaar vs Hapoel Beer Sheva 2-1

AZ Alkmaar came from behind to beat Hapoel Beer Sheva 2-1 in the UEFA Europa League league stage, with Mexx Meerdink scoring the winner from the penalty spot a minute after coming on. The decisive moment came after VAR confirmed the spot-kick on 75 minutes.

The first half was short on chances and ended goalless, but the bookings began to pile up before the break. Pedro Miguel Santos Amador was booked for Hapoel Beer Sheva on 39 minutes and Seiya Maikuma saw yellow for AZ Alkmaar on 45 minutes, leaving it 0-0 at half-time.

AZ Alkmaar broke through on 49 minutes when Peer Koopmeiners, set up by Valdemar Byskov Andreasen, made it 1-0. Hapoel Beer Sheva levelled on 55 minutes through Forson Amankwah from zahi ahmed, then both sides made changes: AZ Alkmaar made two on 61 minutes and Hapoel Beer Sheva made two on 62. The home side went back in front on 77 minutes when Meerdink, who had come on in the 76th minute, converted after the VAR check. AZ Alkmaar made two more changes on 76 minutes and saw out the rest of the match despite late bookings for Calvin Stengs on 78 minutes and Denso Kasius on 83, while Adrián Ugarriza was booked for Hapoel Beer Sheva in first-half stoppage time.

The numbers reflected AZ Alkmaar’s edge. They had 58% of the ball, 587 passes to Hapoel Beer Sheva’s 408, and 14 shots to 5, with 6 on target to 3. AZ also led the expected goals figure 2.64 to 1.02, had 5 corners to 1, and made 3 saves to Hapoel Beer Sheva’s 4. Hapoel Beer Sheva had more fouls, 17 to 14, and both teams finished with 4 yellow cards and no red cards.

AZ Alkmaar’s booked players were Seiya Maikuma on 45 minutes, Ayoub Oufkir and Eilel Peretz on 52, Calvin Stengs on 78 and Denso Kasius on 83. Hapoel Beer Sheva’s bookings went to Pedro Miguel Santos Amador on 39, Eilel Peretz on 52, Djibril diop on 76 and Adrián Ugarriza on 90+1.