FC Utrecht vs AZ Alkmaar. Dutch Eredivisie Europa League Play-offs Round 1.
Stadion GalgenwaardAttendance16,586.
3-3
FC Utrecht win 4-3 on penalties.
Sunday 28 May 2017 20:51, UK
Utrecht have qualified for the Europa League after overturning a 3-0 deficit against AZ to triumph on penalties in a dramatic play-off.
Leading 3-0 from the first leg in Alkmaar, AZ were behind in the 12th minute at Stadion Galgenwaard after Willem Jannssen headed the hosts in front.
It was 2-0 before half-time after former Newcastle goalkeeper Tim Krul failed to hold onto a Yassin Ayoub effort, allowing Sebastian Haller to tap into the net.
AZ were reduced to 10 men after the break when Derrick Luckassen was shown a straight red for a last-man challenge on Gyrano Kerk, and with eight minutes remaining, Utrecht got their all-important third through Kerk, finishing off after Janssen's header had hit the bar.
Utrecht were awarded a penalty in the last minute of injury time, but Krul dramatically saved Haller's spot kick to send the game into extra-time.
Penalties were eventually needed, and Nacer Barazite was the hero for the hosts, scoring the winning kick after both Pantelis Hatzidiakos and Joris van Overeem missed.
Utrecht will now take their place in the second qualifying round of the Europa League.
