AZ Alkmaar
Groningen
Match summary
AZ Alkmaar came back from 2 goals down to win 4-3 at home to Groningen, with the winner arriving in stoppage time. It was 1-1 at half-time.
In the first half, Jacob Ondrejka put Groningen ahead with a header in the 2nd minute and Mexx Meerdink equalised in the 9th minute. In the second half, Brynjólfur Darri Willumsson put Groningen back in front in the 47th minute, Thom van Bergen made it 1-3 in the 54th minute, Ayoub Oufkir pulled one back to make it 2-3 in the 61st minute, Mateo Chávez equalised in the 76th minute, and Meerdink won it from the penalty spot in stoppage time.
The chances backed that up: AZ Alkmaar created 3.92 expected goals (xG) from 19 shots to Groningen's 2.20 from 9. Mexx Meerdink missed a penalty for AZ Alkmaar. Groningen had 2 players sent off.
AZ Alkmaar secured a thrilling victory against Groningen in the Eredivisie on matchday 12, dominating territory and creating numerous opportunities. The hosts controlled 58 percent of possession, accumulated 19 shots compared to the visitors 9, and earned 7 corners while conceding none. AZ Alkmaar registered an expected goals total of 3.92 against Groningen 2.20, completing 482 passes with a pass accuracy of 82.6 percent. Discipline proved costly for the away side, who collected 4 yellow cards and 2 red cards, whereas AZ Alkmaar received 1 yellow card and committed 11 fouls overall.
The first half ended level after early exchanges, before a flurry of goals after the interval changed the fixture. Groningen scored 3 goals through Jacob Ondrejka, Brynjólfur Darri Willumsson and Thom van Bergen. AZ Alkmaar mounted a comeback as Mexx Meerdink, Ayoub Oufkir and Mateo Chávez struck, with Meerdink also missing a penalty and later converting a 91st minute penalty to seal the win. The visitors discipline collapsed late on as Etienne Vaessen received a second yellow card and Hans Hateboer was shown a red card for a professional handball.
