ALKMAAR--AZ Alkmaar have progressed to the knockout stages of the Europa League after a 2-2 draw against Partizan Belgrade, despite being reduced to ten men while 2-0 down.
AZ went into the clash knowing a draw was enough to seal their place in the next round, while a win would put them top of the group after Manchester United’s loss at Astana.
Arnie Slot’s side began the game brightly but after 16 minutes they fell behind completely against the run of play. Takuma Asano fired past Marco Bizot after being played in by Bibras Natcho.
Just before the half-hour mark, Partizan made it 2-0 when Seydouba Soumah capitalised on a poor pass from Bizot to Teun Koopmeiners.
Early in the second half, Partizan had chances to kill the game but Soumah hit the post, while Bizot denied Umar Sadiq. Pantelis Hatzidiakos was then forced off the pitch injured and was replaced by striker Ferdy Druijf.
AZ looked for a way back but Oussama Idrissi hit the post before the hosts were reduced to 10 men. Myron Boadu had a quiet evening and he was sent off for a second yellow card.
Despite being down to 10, AZ still pushed forward and with three minutes to go, Druijf pulled one back with a header. Idrissi then hit the post as AZ sensed a chance to equalise.
Seven minutes were added on at the end and in the fourth minute of extra time, Druijf scored again to seal an unlikely draw. AZ are now assured of their spot in the next round and will face Manchester United in two weeks with the top of the group at stake.
PSV Eindhoven crashed out of the Europa League at the hands of Sporting CP after a 4-0 defeat in Estádio José Alvalade on a difficult Thursday night. The hosts, who needed a win to get through, dominated first-half proceedings and netted three goals before the break. Their captain Bruno Fernandes, who was the star of the night, made it four from the spot.
As LASK Linz claimed a 2-1 victory at Rosenborg, Sporting CP and the Austrian side progress to the Europa League knockout stages, while PSV are out. PSV can restore some pride on December 12 when they host Rosenborg.
Rangers were made to wait to seal a place in the last 32 of the Europa League despite Alfredo Morelos’ record-breaking double securing a 2-2 draw with Feyenoord Rotterdam.
The Colombian became the first Rangers player to score in four consecutive European clashes when he cancelled out Jens Toornstra’s opener in Rotterdam.
Morelos then left De Kuip stadium stunned as he struck his 13th European goal of the campaign shortly afterwards to smash Henrik Larsson’s 16-year-old record for the most goals netted in a single season for a Scottish club.
Steven Gerrard’s men were on the brink of securing a place in the knockout rounds but Morelos’ international colleague Luis Sinisterra grabbed an equaliser for Dick Advocaat’s team. Feyenoord need a win in Porto to secure a spot in the knockout stages.
