AZ Alkmaar advanced to the next round of the KNVB Cup with a commanding 3-1 victory over FC Groningen at the AFAS Stadion.
The game marked AZ’s 15th win in their head-to-head history against Groningen, who have 8 wins and 9 draws.
AZ started strong, taking the lead in the 4th minute when Sven Mijnans slotted home from close range, courtesy of a precise assist by Dutch-born Ghanaian winger Ernest Poku. Groningen responded in the 41st minute with Leandro Bacuna calmly converting a penalty to level the score.
In the second half, Ruben van Bommel restored AZ’s lead in the 70th minute, finishing Troy Parrott’s assist with finesse. The game’s defining moment came in the 84th minute when substitute Jayden Addai made an instant impact. The Dutch-born Ghanaian attacker, introduced in the 79th minute, capitalized on a swift counterattack, firing a clinical left-footed shot into the bottom corner after a clever setup by Dave Kwakman.
AZ dominated possession (56%) and registered 22 shots, underlining their offensive superiority. With this win, AZ sets their sights on an Eredivisie clash against FC Twente on December 21.
