In a stunning display of power and precision, AEK Larnaca dominated AZ Alkmaar, securing a resounding 4-0 victory in their inaugural clash in the UEFA Conference League. This match marked a significant milestone for the Cypriot side, who celebrated their first-ever win at this level, showcasing their determination to make an impact in European football after navigating through a grueling 14 qualifying matches.
The Dutch squad, burdened by a dismal record of 11 consecutive away defeats in European competition, faced an uphill battle from the very start. Within just two minutes, their hopes were dashed as Alexandre Penetra, in a reckless moment, brought down Waldo Rubio, resulting in an immediate straight red card. This early dismissal left AZ reeling, and the home team wasted no time in capitalizing on their numerical advantage.
With the match just 25 minutes old, AEK Larnaca’s relentless pressure bore fruit. Godswill Ekpolo delivered a cross that found Riad Bajic, whose point-blank header was expertly saved. However, the rebound fell perfectly for Rubio, allowing him to slot the ball home from mere yards out, igniting the home crowd and giving Larnaca the crucial first goal.
AZ’s goalkeeper, Rome-Jayden Owusu-Oduro, emerged as a lone beacon of hope for his team, making a spectacular save to deny Bajic again just before halftime. His heroics kept the scoreline at 1-0, but the writing was on the wall for the Dutch side.
As the second half unfolded, AEK Larnaca continued to assert their dominance. Just nine minutes after the restart, they took a giant leap towards victory. After an earlier goal from Pere Pons had been controversially ruled offside, Bajic finally got his name on the scoresheet, heading in a beautifully chipped ball from Luis Gustavo Ledes, doubling Larnaca’s advantage.
Despite AZ’s best efforts to salvage the match, their fate was sealed in a devastating final quarter. In a cruel twist of fate, substitute Dorde Ivanovic, barely a minute after his introduction, sprinted onto a perfectly timed through ball from Yerson Chacon and calmly slotted it past Owusu-Oduro. Just moments later, Marcus Rohden added insult to injury, finishing from inside the area to complete the rout.
With this emphatic victory, AEK Larnaca has now lost just one of their last 18 home fixtures across all competitions, solidifying their reputation as a formidable force in Cyprus. Meanwhile, AZ Alkmaar’s struggles continue, remaining winless in their last four outings, leaving fans and pundits questioning what the future holds for this once-prominent Dutch side in European football.
