AZ Alkmaar defeats Galatasaray 4-1 in Europa League

AZ Alkmaar secured a commanding 4-1 victory over Galatasaray in their Europa League playoff match, marking their fourth consecutive win. The match began with Sven Mijnans scoring a stunning free kick just 12 minutes in, but Galatasaray quickly equalized through Roland Sallai's powerful strike. Alkmaar regained control before halftime with a penalty from Troy Parrott, and the game shifted further after Kaan Ayhan received a red card early in the second half. Jordy Clasie and David Moller Wolfe added two more goals for Alkmaar, solidifying their lead as they head into the second leg in Istanbul. This match continues Alkmaar's strong performance in European competition, while Galatasaray will seek to overturn the deficit at home. The result poses a significant challenge for Galatasaray, who have an impressive home record to defend in the upcoming match.