UECL: AZ Edge Sparta Prague 2-1 — Troy Parrott Brace Secures Win

Troy Parrott scores twice as AZ beat Sparta Prague in Conference League

AZ beat Sparta Prague 2-1 in the Conference League last 16 first leg, with Troy Parrott scoring a brace.

Troy Parrott's double helps AZ edge Sparta Prague 2-1 in UEFA Conference League...

Troy Parrott scored a brace, leading AZ to a 2-1 win over Sparta Prague in the Conference League last-16 first leg. The win extends AZ's unbeaten run against Czech teams to nine games (W5, D4). 

The start of the match was played at a breathless pace, and Sparta almost broke the deadlock in the opening exchanges when Wouter Goes headed Matyas Vojta’s looping shot away from the goalmouth.

Rome-Jayden Owusu-Oduro was then called into action to keep out Andy Irving’s effort, before the latter made a fine block to keep out Parrott’s attempt down the other end. 

However, the Irishman was not to be denied in the 29th minute, breaking the deadlock after latching onto Ro-Zangelo Daal’s pass and unleashing a ferocious left-footed strike past Jakub Surovcik.

That was his 25th goal of the season across all competitions, ending a run of four games without finding the net. It was almost 2-0 in emphatic fashion before half-time when Denso Kasius’ sweetly-struck attempt from the edge of the box cannoned off the post.

Sparta Prague pulled one back just five minutes after the restart, with Matyas Vojta scoring his first goal for the club. Vojta turned home Andy Irving's scuffed finish, capitalizing on AZ's failure to clear Kaan Kairinen's free-kick. 

Sparta Prague pushed hard for an equalizer, but AZ's defense held firm. Weslley Patati's strike hit the bar, and Kees Smit and Sven Mijnans were denied by Surovcik, keeping AZ's lead intact. 

AZ pushed for a winner, with Surovcik making a crucial save to deny Peer Koopmeiners. Troy Parrott settled the game, scoring his second goal after a pass from Daal, converting from inside the box. 

A Troy Parrott brace gives @AZAlkmaar the advantage heading to Prague 👊 pic.twitter.com/lTg9rn0Kc8

— UEFA Conference League (@Conf_League) March 12, 2026

The thrilling match ended with AZ Alkmaar's second goal, courtesy of Troy Parrott, securing their place in the Conference League last-16 tie. This win extends Lee-Roy Echteld's side unbeaten run to six main draw Conference League home matches (W5, D1).

Sparta Prague's coach, Brian Priske, can take confidence from his team's display despite the defeat. The late goal conceded means Sparta Prague remains winless or win/draw/loss streak continues with no draws away from home in this competition after nine games (W3, L6), with all matches decided by a one-goal margin.