In a gripping encounter at Stadion Woudestein, AZ Alkmaar turned the tables on Excelsior to clinch a 2-1 victory in the Eredivisie. The home side took an early lead through Ilias Bronkhorst, who scored in the first half's dying moments, but the visitors struck back with goals from Troy Parrott and Alexandre Penetra in the last stages of the game, sealing a crucial win.
Excelsior's Bright Start Ends in Frustration
The match began with high intensity, as both sides looked to assert dominance early on. Excelsior's Ilias Bronkhorst received a yellow card in the 20th minute, but redeemed himself by opening the scoring just before the halftime whistle, giving the hosts a 1-0 lead. His performance was a highlight as he managed to keep Excelsior competitive, despite their lower possession rate of 45%.
AZ Alkmaar responded with a series of tactical substitutions at the start of the second half, aiming to inject fresh energy into their lineup. The changes paid dividends as they gradually began to control the tempo.
Late Drama Secures AZ's Comeback
As the clock ticked past the 90-minute mark, Troy Parrott capitalized on a well-timed pass from Mees de Wit to level the score. Just four minutes later, Alexandre Penetra netted the winner, assisted by Kasper Boogaard, as AZ Alkmaar completed their comeback in dramatic fashion. The visitors' 55% possession and 7 shots on target underlined their second-half dominance.
The victory marks a positive turn for AZ, who have struggled in recent matches. This win could be pivotal as they look to improve their standings in the league.
Statistical Insights Reveal AZ's Edge
AZ Alkmaar's success was built on a foundation of effective passing, achieving an 84% accuracy rate compared to Excelsior's 82%. They also outshot Excelsior with 16 total attempts. Alexandre Penetra's standout performance, marked by an 8-player rating and 87% pass accuracy, was a key factor in their victory. Meanwhile, Excelsior's goalkeeper made 5 critical saves, but it wasn't enough to thwart the visitors' relentless attacks.
Looking Ahead
For Excelsior, the defeat highlights a need to address defensive lapses that have cost them in crucial moments, as reflected in their fluctuating recent form. AZ Alkmaar, buoyed by this comeback, will aim to build on this momentum as they chase higher positions in the Eredivisie standings.
