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AZ Alkmaar continued their impressive European campaign with a commanding 4-0 victory over Ararat-Armenia in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday, October 22, 2026.
Brazilian winger Weslley Patati scored twice, while Valdemar Byskov and Mexx Meerdink also found the net as the Dutch club comfortably defeated their Armenian opponents in Yerevan.
The victory marked AZ’s second consecutive win in the competition, taking their tally to six points from three matches and strengthening their hopes of reaching the knockout stages.
AZ Alkmaar started the match cautiously as Ararat-Armenia defended deeply and attempted to frustrate the visitors.
However, the Dutch side broke the deadlock in the 21st minute when Danish midfielder Valdemar Byskov produced an excellent free kick.
Byskov curled the ball into the top corner of goalkeeper João Bravim’s net, giving AZ a 1-0 advantage.
The goal was Byskov’s first for AZ Alkmaar and provided the visitors with the confidence to push forward.
Just six minutes later, Weslley Patati doubled the lead with a superb curling effort from the edge of the penalty area.
The Brazilian winger received a pass from Japanese defender Seiya Maikuma before firing beyond Bravim to make it 2-0 in the 27th minute.
AZ maintained their advantage heading into halftime.
Despite trailing by two goals, Ararat-Armenia showed greater attacking ambition after the break.
Zhirayr Shaghoyan tested AZ goalkeeper Jari De Busser with a low effort in the 55th minute.
The Armenian side continued searching for a way back into the match, with Shaghoyan and Artur Serobyan creating additional opportunities.
However, De Busser remained alert and prevented the hosts from reducing the deficit.
At the other end, AZ continued creating chances, forcing goalkeeper Bravim into several important saves.
Byskov and Peer Koopmeiners both tested the Armenian goalkeeper as the visitors looked to extend their lead.
AZ eventually put the match beyond Ararat-Armenia’s reach in the 76th minute.
Substitute Ro-Zangelo Daal delivered a well-timed pass to Patati, who calmly lifted the ball over the goalkeeper to complete his brace.
The goal gave AZ a commanding 3-0 lead and effectively ended the hosts’ hopes of mounting a comeback.
Patati’s impressive performance highlighted his growing importance to AZ’s attacking play.
Just three minutes later, substitute Mexx Meerdink added a fourth goal for the Dutch visitors.
The striker, who entered the match in the 65th minute, headed home from close range following a cross from Patati.
Meerdink’s goal completed a convincing 4-0 victory and capped an excellent evening for AZ Alkmaar.
The Dutch side dominated possession with 61 percent and registered 17 shots compared with nine from Ararat-Armenia.
AZ also recorded nine shots on target, while their opponents managed four.
The victory lifted AZ Alkmaar to eighth place in the 36-team Europa League standings, putting them among the teams occupying the automatic qualification positions for the knockout round of 16.
Head coach Leeroy Echteld will be encouraged by his team’s attacking display and ability to keep a clean sheet away from home.
For Ararat-Armenia, the defeat continued a difficult start to their first Europa League campaign.
The Armenian club has now lost all three of its opening matches and remains without a point.
AZ, meanwhile, will look to build on their momentum as they continue competing for a place in the next stage of the tournament.
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