In the first half of the game there were plenty of opportunities for the Alkmaarders. The greatest chance was for AZ striker Troy Parrott. His beautiful shot ended up on the post.
Fireworks were set off during the break, which caused a lot of smoke. For that reason, the game was stopped for about five minutes. Then the ball started rolling again and AZ got a penalty. It was missed by Parrot, but the penalty had to be again after an intervention of the VAR. Go Ahead keeper Jari De Busser came from his line too early and that is why Parrott was allowed to construct again. That attempt was hit.
Plottwist
Then it was very exciting. Both teams were given opportunities, but the score remained unchanged. After ninety minutes of football there was no less than nine minutes of injury time. Just before the whistle, the expected final score was given a different turn: Go Ahead Eagles received a penalty kick. AZ midfielder Peer Koopmeiners hit the ball by hand in the sixteen-meter area and Mats Deijl managed to make the equalizer for Go Ahead Eagles.
The match was then extended and the game kept going up and down. Both teams were given opportunities, but after 120 minutes and a few minutes of extension, penalties had to decide the game. After a mistake by Buurmeester and Lahdo it was over for AZ: Go Ahead Eagles goes home with the cup.
Later tonight the reactions of the players appear online