Jong Sparta Rotterdam Youth Edged 3-2 by AZ Alkmaar Youth in Thrilling Friendly

A back-and-forth encounter at the Sparta Stadion saw AZ Alkmaar Youth edge past Jong Sparta Rotterdam Youth 3-2 in an international club friendly on July 25, 2026. The match provided valuable minutes for young talents from both academies, with AZ's clinical finishing making the difference.

First Half: End-to-End Action

Both sets of players showed attacking intent from the first minute. Jong Sparta struck first in the 14th minute when forward Dylan van der Ven fired home from a tight angle after a quick counter-attack. AZ responded quickly, with midfielder Mees Rijkhoff equalizing with a tidy finish in the 22nd minute. The visitors then took the lead just before the break – Jayden Addai converted a penalty after a handball in the box, making it 2-1 to AZ Alkmaar.

Second Half: Sparta Fight Back but AZ Hold On

Jong Sparta came out with renewed vigor after half-time and leveled in the 58th minute through a powerful strike from Younes Taha. With the score at 2-2, the game opened up, but it was AZ’s substitute Kees Smit who proved the hero, volleying home a cross from the right wing in the 76th minute. Despite late pressure, Sparta could not find a third equalizer.

Development Over Result

While the result matters little in the broader context, both academies will value the competitive minutes. AZ Alkmaar's youth setup continues to produce promising individuals, while Jong Sparta showed character to come from behind once. Focus now turns to their respective league campaigns in the Dutch youth divisions.

• Jong Sparta Rotterdam: Dylan van der Ven (14'), Younes Taha (58')
• AZ Alkmaar Youth: Mees Rijkhoff (22'), Jayden Addai (pen 38'), Kees Smit (76')