Juventus Beats AZ Alkmaar 2-1 in Europa League
Juventus moved into fifth place in the Europa League standings after a 2-1 away win over AZ Alkmaar at the AFAS Stadium.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Soccer
Juventus defeated AZ Alkmaar 2-1 at the AFAS Stadium in the fourth round of the Europa League league phase. The win lifted Juventus to 10 points and fifth place in the standings, while AZ Alkmaar remains in 14th place with six points.
Why it matters
The result strengthens Juventus's position in the Europa League league phase as the competition moves through its early rounds. For AZ Alkmaar, the defeat leaves the Dutch club with six points and a lower standing in the table.
Teun Koopmeiners scored in the 19th minute and Randal Kolo Muani in the 37th minute, while Mees Meerdink replied for Alkmaar in the 88th minute. Juventus's 10 points put them fifth, but the remaining league-phase rounds will determine the final standings.
The players
Juventus
Juventus is one of Italy's most successful football clubs, based in Turin and competing in the Europa League.
AZ Alkmaar
AZ Alkmaar is a professional Dutch football club based in Alkmaar, competing in the Europa League.
Luciano Spalletti
Luciano Spalletti is the Juventus head coach who was seen looking agitated with several players before and after the final whistle.
The details
Koopmeiners latched onto a ground pass from Kolo Muani and drilled his left-footed finish into the net. Kolo Muani later pounced on an Alkmaar defensive error and curled a left-footed shot into the far corner, while a late Alkmaar goal was ruled offside by the referee.
Timeline
November 5, 2026: Juventus defeats AZ Alkmaar 2-1 in the fourth round of the Europa League league phase.
Season Trajectory
Under the UEFA Europa League league-phase format, early round results such as Juventus's 2-1 win over AZ Alkmaar help determine which clubs advance directly and which must enter knockout playoffs. Juventus's climb to fifth place places it in a stronger position as the competition progresses.
Juventus's 10 points and fifth-place position mean the club has a clearer path in the remaining Europa League league-phase rounds. For AZ Alkmaar, six points in 14th place means the club must produce results in upcoming matches to improve its standing.
The takeaway
Early league-phase results can shift a club's position quickly, and Juventus's win shows how a single away match can move a team up the Europa League table.
Further reading
Follow more Soccer coverage for context on European club competition standings.
