AZ Alkmaar secured their place in the UEFA Europa League last 16 with a commanding 6-3 aggregate victory over Galatasaray, drawing 2-2 in the second leg in Istanbul. This result extends their unbeaten run against Turkish sides to eight consecutive matches. Despite holding a comfortable 4-1 lead from the first leg, AZ showed no signs of easing off the pressure at Rams Park. Galatasaray’s goalkeeper, Günay Güvenç, was called into action early, first denying Sven Mijnans’ shot and then watching as Davinson Sánchez cleared Kristijan Belić’s strike off the line.
After weathering an early storm from the home side, Galatasaray attempted to find the form that had seen them score 19 goals in the UEL group stage. Roland Sallai came closest to breaking the deadlock, but his low shot was saved by AZ’s goalkeeper, Rome-Jayden Owusu-Oduro. Galatasaray continued to push forward, but AZ’s defense and keeper kept them at bay. Belić’s dipping volley was tipped over the bar by Güvenç, and shortly after, the Turkish keeper made another stunning stop, this time denying David Møller Wolfe’s powerful strike.
AZ’s resilience paid off just before halftime when Ernest Poku made a brilliant run into the box and, with his fourth UEL assist of the season, set up Seiya Maikuma for an easy finish past Güvenç.
The Dutch side did not relent after the break, and Denso Kasius delivered a moment of brilliance, firing a powerful 25-yard shot into the top corner to all but secure AZ’s progression to the next round.
Galatasaray responded with a late flurry, and Victor Osimhen led their charge, scoring his sixth UEL goal of the season with a powerful strike. Roland Sallai then added another, finishing first-time from a cutback by Barış Alper Yılmaz. However, it was too little, too late for the Turkish side, who faced an uphill battle following their heavy first-leg defeat.
Okan Buruk’s Galatasaray were eliminated, marking their third failure to qualify for European knockout rounds in the last five seasons. AZ, on the other hand, were rewarded for their clinical approach across both legs with a well-earned aggregate win. Maarten Martens’ team will now face either Manchester United or Tottenham Hotspur in the next round of the competition.
