AZ Alkmaar thrash PSV 4-0 to take the Super Cup
AZ Alkmaar gave PSV Eindhoven a lesson in efficiency and claimed the Dutch Super Cup with a resounding 4-0, delivered inside the Philips Stadion itself. Joey Veerman’s early dismissal condemned the hosts to playing practically the whole match a man down, and their rivals made the most of every inch of that numerical advantage.
A red card sets the course of the game
It took just nine minutes for the tie to take a different turn. Veerman caught Mexx Meerdink in the face with the sole of his boot, and referee Serdar Gözübüyuk, after checking the incident on VAR, had no doubts: a straight red. From then on PSV were forced to sit deep, while AZ gained space to move the ball around in comfort.
The first goal came on 25 minutes, the result of an unfortunate deflection by Ryan Flamingo as he tried to cut out Mateo Chávez García’s cross. The ball fell free to Meerdink, who only had to finish with his head. Before the break Dennis Man and Guus Til did have clear chances to level, but goalkeeper Jari De Busser stood up well on both occasions and preserved the narrow lead until half time.
The second half seals the rout
If the first half already suggested dominance, the second confirmed AZ’s stroll. On 51 minutes Weslley Patati tried a curling shot from outside the box that ended up in the back of the net. Shortly after, on 58, Elijah Dijkstra extended the lead on a rapid counter driven by Ro-Zangelo Daal, who also scored the fourth from the penalty spot on 66 minutes. With the result all but settled, PSV never had the breath to react a man short.
The club’s second Super Cup
The win carries symbolic weight for AZ Alkmaar: it is only the second Dutch Super Cup in their history, repeating the feat achieved in 2010. The heavy defeat also exposes an uncomfortable contrast for PSV, Eredivisie champions this season but unable to repeat that level in a one-off final against a direct rival. For AZ the result underlines their good form and sends the message that the team arrives sharp for the start of the new season.
