Match report
Utrecht Defeats AZ Alkmaar 2-0 in Eredivisie Clash
Utrecht
2–0
FT
AZ Alkmaar
Mar 1, 2026
Utrecht stuns visiting AZ Alkmaar with a 2-0 victory, capitalizing on early goals from Y. Cathline and A. Stepanov to secure three crucial points in the Dutch Eredivisie.
Key Facts
- • Utrecht secured their win with two key goals; Y. Cathline scored at minute 9, followed by a penalty from A. Stepanov at minute 35.
- • AZ Alkmaar struggled defensively, receiving multiple yellow cards including one for A. Oufkir and R. Owusu-Oduro in the first half.
- • There were numerous substitutions with AZ Alkmaar making several changes early on to adjust their tactics after conceding an early goal.
Lineups
Utrecht
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Starting XI
- 1 Vasilis Barkas (G)
- 40 Matisse Didden (D)
- 3 Mike van der Hoorn (D)
- 24 Nick Viergever (D)
- 16 Souffian El Karouani (D)
- 27 Alonzo Engwanda (M)
- 21 Gjivai Zechiël (M)
- 77 Ángel Alarcón (M)
- 20 Dani de Wit (M)
- 10 Yoann Cathline (M)
- 18 Artem Stepanov (F)
Substitutes
- 9 David Min
- 22 Miguel Rodríguez
- 11 Jesper Karlsson
- 8 Can Bozdoğan
- 33 Kevin Gadellaa
- 25 Michael Brouwer
- 53 Neal Viereck
- 5 Emeka Adeile
- 46 Jaygo van Ommeren
- 15 Adrian Blake
AZ Alkmaar
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Starting XI
- 1 Rome Jayden Owusu-Oduro (G)
- 34 Mees de Wit (D)
- 3 Wouter Goes (D)
- 5 Alexandre Penetra (D)
- 23 Billy van Duijl (D)
- 20 Kasper Boogaard (M)
- 6 Peer Koopmeiners (M)
- 24 Ayoub Oufkir (M)
- 10 Sven Mijnans (M)
- 17 Isak Steiner Jensen (M)
- 35 Mexx Meerdink (F)
Substitutes
- 22 Elijah Dijkstra
- 26 Kees Smit
- 9 Troy Parrott
- 7 Weslley Patati
- 27 Ro-Zangelo Daal
- 12 Hobie Verhulst
- 41 Jeroen Zoet
- 18 Rion Ichihara
- 4 Maxim Dekker
- 33 Matěj Šín
- 11 Ibrahim Sadiq
- 19 Jizz Hornkamp
Timeline
-
9' Utrecht Goal · Normal GoalY. Cathline
-
25' AZ Alkmaar Card · Yellow CardA. Oufkir
Holding
-
33' AZ Alkmaar Card · Yellow CardR. Owusu-Oduro
Tripping
-
35' Utrecht Goal · PenaltyA. Stepanov
-
46' AZ Alkmaar subst · Substitution 1Off: S. Mijnans · On: Kees Smit
-
46' AZ Alkmaar subst · Substitution 2Off: M. Meerdink · On: T. Parrott
-
46' AZ Alkmaar subst · Substitution 3Off: Alexandre Penetra · On: E. Dijkstra
-
54' AZ Alkmaar subst · Substitution 4Off: A. Oufkir · On: Weslley Patati
-
76' Utrecht subst · Substitution 1Off: A. Stepanov · On: D. Min
-
76' AZ Alkmaar subst · Substitution 5Off: I. Jensen · On: R. Daal
-
77' Utrecht subst · Substitution 2Off: A. Alarcon · On: Miguel Rodríguez
-
81' Utrecht Card · Yellow CardM. van der Hoorn
Unsportsmanlike conduct
-
83' Utrecht subst · Substitution 3Off: Y. Cathline · On: Jesper Karlsson
-
89' Utrecht subst · Substitution 4Off: G. Zechiel · On: C. Bozdogan
Match Stats
| Stat | Utrecht | AZ Alkmaar |
|---|---|---|
| Fouls | 12 | 13 |
| Pass Accuracy | 76% | 83% |
| Offsides | 1 | 0 |
| Red Cards | — | — |
| Total Shots | 12 | 10 |
| Corners | 5 | 4 |
| Total Passes | 340 | 481 |
| Yellow Cards | 1 | 3 |
| Blocked Shots | 5 | 0 |
| Shots on Target | 3 | 6 |
| xG | 1.27 | 0.73 |
| Shots off Target | 4 | 4 |
| Possession | 42% | 58% |
| Goals Prevented | 0 | 0 |
| Accurate Passes | 260 | 397 |
| Shots Inside Box | 9 | 5 |
| Saves | 6 | 1 |
| Shots Outside Box | 3 | 5 |
Key Match Notes
- ▸ Utrecht's early goal by Y. Cathline in the 9th minute set a strong tone and put pressure on AZ Alkmaar.
- ▸ The penalty conversion by A. Stepanov in the 35th minute solidified Utrecht's control over the match, despite AZ Alkmaar making multiple substitutions to change their game plan.