Decisive figure in goal underpins Groningen's win | OneFootball

Hidde Jurjus set the platform in the 10th minute with a low stop, and Groningen beat AZ 3-0. The goalkeeper's clean sheet anchored a result shaped by his shot-stopping under sustained pressure.

That early save from Denso Kasius' drive steadied Groningen before the breakthrough. Jurjus then kept control after the restart, palming away Troy Parrott's header (47.). Moments later he blocked Isak Jensen from close range (53.).

As AZ pushed, Jurjus stayed sharp. He parried Ro-Zangelo Daal's effort from the left side of the box (68.). He also clawed out Rion Ichihara's header (86.), before tipping Sven Mijnans' strike wide in the second minute of second half stoppage time.

Jurjus finished with seven saves from seven shots on target faced, plus 10 recoveries, as AZ held 53.0% possession and carried much of the attacking load. His handling and positioning denied the visitors' aerial and cut-back threats and kept Groningen in command of the key phases.

Groningen visit Telstar next. AZ host Fortuna Sittard before their European quarter-final first leg away to Shakhtar Donetsk.