AZ Alkmaar beat Hapoel Be'er 2-1 in a tightly contested UEFA Europa League league-phase clash at the AFAS Stadion.

The UEFA Europa League league phase match took place on 15 October 2026 at the AFAS Stadion in Alkmaar. Both sides entered the game looking to claim three points, and the atmosphere was charged as the home crowd watched AZ Alkmaar host Hapoel Be'er.

How it unfolded

The first half was largely even, but tension rose in the 39th minute when Hapoel Be'er’s Pedro Amador received a yellow card for a bad foul. Just before the break, AZ’s Seiya Maikuma was also booked in the 45th minute.

The second half opened with AZ taking the lead in the 49th minute. Peer Koopmeiners finished from the centre of the box, placing a right-footed shot into the bottom left corner after a through ball from Valdemar Byskov. The goal gave the home side a 1-0 advantage.

Two minutes later, Hapoel Be'er responded. In the 52nd minute both sides saw bookings – Eliel Peretz for Hapoel Be'er and Ayoub Oufkir for AZ – each shown a yellow card. The following minute, Forson Amankwah equalised for the visitors, striking with his left foot from the centre of the box to the centre of the net, assisted by Zahi Ahmed. The score was level at 1-1.

The match swung back in AZ’s favour in the 77th minute when Mexx Meerdink converted a penalty, sending a left-footed shot high into the centre of the goal. The penalty gave AZ a 2-1 lead that they would hold to the final whistle.

Discipline remained a feature of the game. Djibril Diop was booked for a bad foul in the 76th minute for Hapoel Be'er, followed by a yellow card for Calvin Stengs of AZ in the 78th minute for a similar infringement. Denso Kasius added another AZ booking in the 83rd minute, also for a bad foul. In stoppage time, Adrián Ugarriza received a yellow card for a bad foul in the 90+1 minute.

Standout performers

  • Peer Koopmeiners (AZ) – Scored the opening goal, timing his run to meet Valdemar Byskov’s through ball and finishing with composure.
  • Valdemar Byskov (AZ) – Provided the decisive assist for Koopmeiners, threading a well-timed pass that split the defence.
  • Forson Amankwah (Hapoel Be'er) – Restored parity with a clinical left-footed finish, showing good positioning inside the box.
  • Zahi Ahmed (Hapoel Be'er) – Set up Amankwah’s equaliser with an effective assist.
  • Mexx Meerdink (AZ) – Calmly converted the penalty that proved the match-winner.

Match facts

  • Final score: AZ Alkmaar 2-1 Hapoel Be'er
  • Scorers: Peer Koopmeiners (49’) – Mexx Meerdink (77’ pen) for AZ; Forson Amankwah (55’) for Hapoel Be'er
  • Bookings:
    • Pedro Amador (Hapoel Be'er) 39’
    • Seiya Maikuma (AZ) 45’
    • Eliel Peretz (Hapoel Be'er) 52’
    • Ayoub Oufkir (AZ) 52’
    • Djibril Diop (Hapoel Be'er) 76’
    • Calvin Stengs (AZ) 78’
    • Denso Kasius (AZ) 83’
    • Adrián Ugarriza (Hapoel Be'er) 90+1’
  • Venue: AFAS Stadion, Alkmaar

What it means

The 2-1 win gives AZ Alkmaar three points from the UEFA Europa League league-phase fixture, while Hapoel Be'er return home with a single point. Both clubs will look to build on the result as the competition progresses.