AZ Alkmaar began the new Dutch football season in emphatic fashion on Sunday, defeating Eredivisie champions PSV Eindhoven 4-0 to win the Johan Cruyff Shield for only the second time in their history.
The KNVB Beker winners took advantage of a red card for PSV midfielder Joey Veerman before half-time and produced a clinical counter-attacking display to overwhelm the league champions in the traditional season opener.
PSV manager Peter Bosz made several unexpected selections for the match, handing Noah Fernandez a starting role at left-back and naming Dutch-Moroccan winger Amir Bouhamdi in the starting line-up for his professional debut. Sven Mijnans also made his official PSV debut against his former club, having captained AZ and lifted the KNVB Beker with them during the 2025/26 season.
AZ head coach Leeroy Echteld selected summer signing Jari De Busser in goal after the Belgian goalkeeper impressed during pre-season following his move from Go Ahead Eagles. De Busser was preferred ahead of Rome-Jayden Owusu-Oduro, with AZ lining up in a five-man defensive system featuring Wouter Goes, Billy van Duijl and Lewis Schouten.
The decisive moment came midway through the first half when PSV were reduced to 10 men. Veerman was initially shown a yellow card for a high challenge on Mexx Meerdink, but referee Serdar Gozubuyuk changed the decision to a red card after reviewing the incident on the pitch-side monitor following a VAR recommendation from Pol van Boekel.
Veerman’s studs made contact with Meerdink’s jaw during the challenge, leaving PSV to play the remainder of the match with a numerical disadvantage.
AZ quickly capitalised on the situation, with Meerdink opening the scoring in the 24th minute. The forward headed in from close range after Mateo Chavez’s deflected cross fell into his path.
Despite having more possession, PSV struggled to create clear chances against AZ’s compact defensive structure. De Busser made two important saves from close range before the interval to preserve his side’s advantage.
AZ doubled their lead five minutes after the restart through Weslley Patati. The winger finished a rapid counter-attack by curling the ball into Matej Kovar’s far corner after a quick attacking move exposed PSV’s defensive line.
The Alkmaar side continued to exploit the space behind PSV’s defence, and Elijah Dijkstra added a third goal after another swift breakaway. It was his first goal for the club and left the Eredivisie champions facing a heavy defeat.
The result was sealed in the 69th minute when PSV defender Yarek Gasiorowski conceded a penalty after making contact with Calvin Stengs inside the area. Ro-Zangelo Daal converted confidently, sending the ball into Kovar’s left corner to complete AZ’s fourth goal.
PSV thought they had scored a consolation goal in the closing stages through Ivan Perisic, but the effort was ruled out for offside after a VAR review.
The defeat extended PSV’s disappointing record in the Johan Cruyff Shield, a competition they have won 15 times but failed to claim on this occasion. AZ secured the trophy for the second time, having previously lifted it in 2013.
PSV will begin their Eredivisie title defence away against Fortuna Sittard on Saturday, August 8, while AZ start their league campaign at home against newly promoted ADO Den Haag later that evening.
