News
AZ Alkmaar

As the 2025-26 season approaches, AZ has welcomed two new players: left-winger Isak Jensen, who joins from Viborg FF, and left-back Mateo Chávez, who arrives from Chivas.
However, they've also experienced some losses, with Ruben van Bommel, Jayden Addai, and David Møller Wolfe departing. Additionally, Bruno Martins Indi, Lewis Schouten, and Sem Westerveld had their contracts expire and were not renewed.
Heading into matchday one, head coach Maarten Martens reports that there are no players injured or suspended.
Groningen

Centre-forward Oskar Zawada and right-back Tyrique Mercera are the latest additions to Groningen's squad, while Luciano Valente has transferred to Feyenoord. Several players, including Leandro Bacuna and Thijs Oosting, have entered free agency before securing new clubs. Head coach Dick Lukkien will be without goalkeeper Etienne Vaessen, who is currently serving a suspension.
Facts

1

AZ Alkmaar have scored at least 3 goals in 5 of their last 6 Netherlands. Eredivisie matches
2

AZ Alkmaar have won their last 4 home matches against Groningen in all competitions
3

AZ Alkmaar have kept a clean sheet in 5 of their last 7 home matches against Groningen in all competitions
Prediction

AZ Alkmaar

2 : 1

Groningen

AZ and Groningen will kick off their 2025-26 Eredivisie campaign when they face each other at AFAS Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
AZ continued their strong presence in the Eredivisie by finishing in the top five for the eighth consecutive season last term. However, they recorded only 16 wins, the lowest total in any season during that streak. In contrast, Groningen, in their first season back in the Eredivisie, finished in 13th place, suffering 15 losses—marking their second-worst placement across 12 previous top-flight seasons.
This match will be the 74th meeting between the two teams, with AZ holding the advantage in their head-to-head record, having won 33 times compared to Groningen's 19 victories. AZ is also unbeaten in their last five encounters, with four wins and one draw.
Troy Parrott was AZ's leading scorer last season, netting 14 goals in 28 appearances. He was the only player from AZ to reach double figures. In contrast, Groningen's scoring was more balanced, with three players—Thom van Bergen, Jorg Schreuders, and Stije Resink—sharing the team’s top scorer title with five goals each.
AZ struggled at home last season, finishing with more draws (four) and losses (five) than wins (eight). Only RKC Waalwijk, with one away win, had fewer road victories than Groningen, who managed just two wins on the road last term.
LIVE Text Commentary
90+3'

That's the end of the match.
90

We will have 2 min. of added time.
90'

Some great controlled play and passing from Groningen. They are increasing their possession of the ball and trying to open up the opposition's defence to hit them swiftly on the break.
87'

Goal Troy Parrott (AZ Alkmaar)! Troy Parrott (AZ Alkmaar) was put through by Mateo Chavez Garcia and he showed brilliant composure inside the box to fire into the top right corner. 4:1.
84'

The substitution has been made. Ibrahim Sadiq (AZ Alkmaar) has replaced Sven Mijnans.
84'

The ball spins up and hits the hand of Tyrique Mercera (Groningen) after he fails to control it and the referee blows his whistle for a foul. AZ Alkmaar earn a free kick.
81'

Younes Taha (Groningen) had a good opportunity from long range. His shot was directed towards the middle of the goal, but Jeroen Zoet was alert and made a comfortable save.
80'

The ball possession is 53:47.
77'

Maarten Martens is forced to make a change. Mees de Wit is not able to carry on due to injury. He is replaced by Mateo Chavez Garcia (AZ Alkmaar).
77'

The game has come to an end for Ernest Poku. He has contributed as much as he could today. He will be replaced by the fresh legs of Mexx Meerdink (AZ Alkmaar).
76'

Maarten Martens has decided to make a change. Peer Koopmeiners (AZ Alkmaar) replaces Kees Smit.
74'

Marco Rente (Groningen) is being substituted because of an injury. Dick Lukkien sends Noam Emeran on the pitch.
73'

The ball is cleared after Isak Jensen (AZ Alkmaar) attempted to dribble past an opposing player.
70'

Thom van Bergen (Groningen) shows his willingness to get forward and blasts a shot towards goal. Unfortunately for him, the shot isn't precise enough and hits the crossbar!
68'

Maarten Martens prepares a substitution. Ro-Zangelo Daal is replaced by Isak Jensen (AZ Alkmaar).
67'

AZ Alkmaar are seeing far more of the ball now.
66'

A substitution has been made. Wouter Prins goes off and Tyrique Mercera (Groningen) comes on.
63'

Denso Kasius (AZ Alkmaar) stretches for the loose ball inside the box and rifles a volley just wide of the right post. The ball goes out of play and Groningen will have a goal kick.
61'

Marvin Peersman (Groningen) is yellow-carded for breaking the rules of the game.
58'

Marvin Peersman (Groningen) commits a rough challenge and Serdar Gozubuyuk blows his whistle for a foul. That's a free kick to AZ Alkmaar.
57'

The resulting corner from Sven Mijnans (AZ Alkmaar) is cleared by the opposition's defence.
56'

What a great chance for Wouter Goes (AZ Alkmaar). He times his jump superbly when he leaps high to meet a precise cross from the corner, directing his towering header inside the right post, but the goalkeeper denies him with a miraculous save. AZ Alkmaar have been awarded a corner kick. The referee and one of his assistants both point at the corner flag.
56'

Sven Mijnans (AZ Alkmaar) will take the corner.
55'

Sven Mijnans (AZ Alkmaar) places a shot from the edge of the box towards the top of the net, but Hidde Jurjus makes a terrific save to deny him. Nice play all round! AZ Alkmaar force a corner. Their opponents will face another attacking threat.
53'

The AZ Alkmaar players are exchanging some short passes.
51'

2:5 – this is the current number of shots on target.
48'

AZ Alkmaar are bossing possession at the moment by exchanging some precise passes from player to player.
47'

It's like he was asking for a caution. Tika de Jonge (Groningen) receives a yellow card.
46'

The referee stops play so that a substitution can be made and David van der Werff departs the field of play to be replaced by Jorg Schreuders (Groningen).
46'

Serdar Gozubuyuk blows his whistle and the second half starts.
45+3'

The first half of today's match has just finished.
45+2'

Kees Smit (AZ Alkmaar) commits a foul and is shown a yellow card without any hesitation from the referee.
45

There will be a minimum of 2 min. of added time.
44'

The ball goes out of play. Groningen are awarded a corner kick.
44'

Gooal! Younes Taha takes over corner duties. Marco Rente (Groningen) gets his head on the ball from the corner and puts it into the right side of the net. 3:1.
44'

Brynjolfur Willumsson (Groningen) controls the ball from the free kick on the edge of the box and releases a strike that could have ended up in the top right corner but for a magnificent save by Jeroen Zoet. The linesman makes the right call and Groningen will have a corner.
43'

A mid-range free kick is awarded to Groningen out wide and from this angle a cross into the box is likely.
41'

A cross from a corner kick by AZ Alkmaar is too strong and the ball goes well out of play.
41'

Kees Smit (AZ Alkmaar) goes on a solo run, but he fails to create a chance as an opposition player blocks him. AZ Alkmaar earn a corner.
38'

Wouter Goes (AZ Alkmaar) has picked up a minor injury, but it looks like he will be able to continue.
38'

Wouter Goes (AZ Alkmaar) is down injured and the referee stops play so that he can receive medical treatment.
36'

Wouter Prins (Groningen) steadies himself on the edge of the box and releases a precise effort on goal that just narrowly sails past the right post. The ball is off of the pitch and it's a goal kick for AZ Alkmaar.
35'

This yellow card was deserved. The tackle by Mees de Wit (AZ Alkmaar) was quite harsh and Serdar Gozubuyuk didn't hesitate to show him a yellow card.
34'

A cross is clipped into the penalty area by Sven Mijnans (AZ Alkmaar) but poses no threat. The ball is off of the pitch and it's a goal kick for Groningen.
32'

Stije Resink (Groningen) scores an unfortunate own goal after deflecting the ball into his own net!
32'

Mees de Wit (AZ Alkmaar) steps up to send the ball in.
31'

Mees de Wit (AZ Alkmaar) whips the ball in, but it fails to reach any of his teammates as the opposition's defence averts the threat. The ball goes out of play and AZ Alkmaar have been awarded a corner kick.
29'

Ernest Poku (AZ Alkmaar) slaloms his way past challenges, but an opposing player does well to get the ball away.
26'

Jordy Clasie (AZ Alkmaar) decides to strike the ball towards goal, but his effort fails to threaten the goalkeeper after being blocked by one of the defenders.
26'

We can have a look at the statistics now, shots on target are 2:2.
24'

Brynjolfur Willumsson (Groningen) rises above the opponent's defence and heads a precise cross towards the roof of the net. His effort, however, is blocked by Jeroen Zoet, who pulls off a stunning save!
22'

A cross from a mid-range free kick, taken by Groningen, is intercepted by one of the defenders.
21'

Kees Smit (AZ Alkmaar) brings down his opponent with a very late tackle. Groningen have a free kick.
20'

Groningen are showing great team chemistry. They are passing the ball around seamlessly.
20'

Referee Serdar Gozubuyuk sees the trip by Wouter Goes (AZ Alkmaar) and doesn't hesitate to blow his whistle. A free kick has been awarded to Groningen.
18'

Goal! Troy Parrott (AZ Alkmaar) puts the ball into the bottom left corner past the outstretched arm of Hidde Jurjus.
18'

Troy Parrott (AZ Alkmaar) is heading towards the penalty spot to take it.
17'

Stije Resink (Groningen) brings his opponent down with a tackle and Serdar Gozubuyuk blows his whistle for a foul. PENALTY to AZ Alkmaar! Almost the entire opposition team is gathered around the referee and complaining. However, the decision has been made and it's final.
15'

The resulting set piece from AZ Alkmaar is comfortably intercepted by one of the defending players.
15'

Mees de Wit (AZ Alkmaar) releases a low pass from just outside the box in an attempt to find his teammate, but one of the defenders calmly averts the threat. The referee points to the corner flag. It's a corner to AZ Alkmaar.
13'

AZ Alkmaar quickly take a corner kick with a short pass.
13'

Ro-Zangelo Daal (AZ Alkmaar) races towards goal but the defender gets back well to make a challenge. AZ Alkmaar will take a corner kick.
11'

Sven Mijnans (AZ Alkmaar) looks to break free, but an opposing player clears the ball away.
10'

Groningen players are exchanging short passes with one another, waiting for the right moment to beat the opposition's defence.
8'

Brynjolfur Willumsson (Groningen) gets into a good scoring position. He creates some space for himself and tries his luck from distance. His decent effort towards the bottom left corner is, however, superbly saved by Jeroen Zoet!
7'

Great teamplay by AZ Alkmaar as they control the ball with a lot of short passes. Patience is the key if they want to find a gap in the defence to score.
5'

It’s a GOAL! It looked impossible to score from that angle, but Denso Kasius (AZ Alkmaar) somehow finds the net with a cheeky shot past the keeper from close in.
3'

A cross from a mid-range free kick, taken by AZ Alkmaar, is intercepted by one of the defenders.
3'

Thom van Bergen (Groningen) trips an opposition player and Serdar Gozubuyuk signals a foul. It's a free kick to AZ Alkmaar, but it's in no position for a direct shot on goal.
1'

Chance! Troy Parrott (AZ Alkmaar) comes within inches of scoring after picking up a pass from Mees de Wit, but his shot from inside the box flashes inches wide of the left post. The ball goes out of play and Groningen will have a goal kick.
1'

Here we go, today's match is starting right now.

Groningen will kick-off.

Serdar Gozubuyuk is introduced as the referee for today's match.

Hello to all football fans, we are here to bring you a live commentary of the following match, describing all the most interesting and important moments. We'll make sure you won't miss a thing, so just sit back and have fun.