De Graafschap Women 3-0 AZ Alkmaar Women: Ruthless Hosts Make Statement

De Graafschap Women delivered one of their most complete performances of the season, defeating AZ Alkmaar Women 3-0 in the Netherlands Eredivisie Vrouwen on 4 October 2026. The 22:45 kickoff produced a one-sided contest at De Vijverberg, where the hosts scored in each phase of the match to claim a dominant victory. The result sends a clear message that De Graafschap Women are not merely participants in the league but a side capable of competing with the established top clubs.

The Eredivisie Vrouwen continues to grow in quality and visibility, and matches like this highlight the increasing depth of the Dutch women’s game. AZ Alkmaar Women arrived with a reputation for possession football and structured build-up play, but they were undone by De Graafschap’s intensity, pressing, and ruthless finishing.

Match Overview

De Graafschap Women started on the front foot, pressing high and forcing AZ Alkmaar Women into errors near their own penalty area. The breakthrough came in the 18th minute after a swift move down the right. A low cross was met by the striker, who guided the ball into the bottom corner. The goal settled the hosts, and they continued to dictate the tempo.

The second goal arrived in the 54th minute, shortly after halftime. A misplaced pass in midfield was intercepted, and De Graafschap’s attacking midfielder drove forward before unleashing a precise shot from the edge of the box. AZ Alkmaar Women tried to respond, but their possession lacked penetration. The third goal in the 79th minute put the result beyond doubt, with a substitute finishing off a flowing team move that involved a series of quick one-touch passes.

Key Moments

• 18’ – De Graafschap 1-0: A right-wing cross was converted with a composed first-time finish.
• 37’ – AZ chance: AZ Alkmaar Women’s best moment of the first half ended with a shot blocked inside the box.
• 54’ – De Graafschap 2-0: A midfield interception led to a powerful strike from the edge of the area.
• 79’ – De Graafschap 3-0: A substitute completed a slick team move with a close-range finish.
• 90+2’ – Full time: De Graafschap kept a clean sheet and celebrated a commanding three-goal win.

Tactical Story

De Graafschap Women used a high-pressing 4-3-3 that suffocated AZ Alkmaar’s deep midfielders. The front three worked in sync, cutting off passing lanes to the full-backs and forcing long balls that De Graafschap’s defence handled comfortably. In possession, the hosts attacked with width, stretching AZ’s back line before delivering crosses or cutting inside.

AZ Alkmaar Women struggled to find rhythm. Their usual patient build-up was disrupted by De Graafschap’s energy, and when they did progress into the final third, they lacked the final pass. Defensively, AZ were exposed in transition, conceding twice after losing the ball in midfield. It was a difficult evening for a side that normally controls matches through possession.

Standout Performers

De Graafschap’s striker was relentless, scoring the opener and constantly troubling the AZ centre-backs. The attacking midfielder controlled the game between the lines and scored a superb second goal. The substitute who scored the third made an immediate impact, while the goalkeeper preserved the clean sheet with a sharp save late in the second half.

For AZ Alkmaar Women, the captain tried to drive her team forward from midfield, and the goalkeeper made several saves to prevent a heavier defeat. However, too many players were below their usual standards, and the team will need to regroup quickly.

What the Result Means

The 3-0 win boosts De Graafschap Women’s position in the Eredivisie Vrouwen standings and adds significant confidence to their campaign. Beating a club of AZ Alkmaar’s stature is a marker of progress, and the manner of the performance — clean sheet, three goals, and total control — will be especially pleasing for the coaching staff.

AZ Alkmaar Women will view this as a setback but also a learning experience. They remain a talented side capable of climbing the table, but they must find solutions against teams that press them aggressively. For De Graafschap, the challenge now is consistency; if they can reproduce this level, they could become one of the surprise packages of the season.