Ararat-Armenia suffer heavy defeat to AZ and remain bottom of Europa League standings

Yerevan-based Ararat-Armenia suffered their third consecutive defeat in the league phase of the 2026/27 UEFA Europa League. In their Matchday 3 encounter, Manuel Tulipa's side lost 4-0 at home to Dutch club AZ Alkmaar.

The match took place on October 22 in Yerevan. The visitors scored twice in each half. Brazilian forward Wesley Patati netted a brace, while Valdemar Byskov and Mexx Meerdink added one goal each.

AZ dominate the first half, but Ararat-Armenia improve after the break

AZ took control of the match from the opening minutes, barely allowing the hosts to create any dangerous opportunities. The Dutch side confidently controlled possession and repeatedly exploited spaces in the opposition's defense.

Valdemar Byskov opened the scoring in the 21st minute, and just six minutes later, Wesley Patati doubled the visitors' advantage. Ararat-Armenia struggled to respond to AZ's attacking play throughout the first half.

After the break, Manuel Tulipa's team showed significant improvement in attack and managed to create several genuinely dangerous chances in front of AZ's goal.

Zhirayr Shaghoyan and Artur Serobyan were particularly active. Ararat-Armenia's attacks saw the ball strike the woodwork, while goalkeeper Yari de Busser came to the visitors' rescue on several occasions.

However, the Armenian side failed to convert their opportunities.

In the 73rd minute, Manuel Tulipa made four substitutions at once in an attempt to inject fresh energy into his team. Unfortunately for the hosts, they conceded two more goals shortly afterward.

Patati completed his brace in the 76th minute, before substitute Mexx Meerdink made it 4-0 in the 79th minute.

Despite their improved attacking performance in the second half, Ararat-Armenia were unable to avoid a heavy home defeat.

Ararat-Armenia remain without points after three matches

After three games, Manuel Tulipa's team have yet to collect a single point and sit bottom of the 36-team Europa League standings.

The Armenian club previously suffered defeats against Sparta Prague (1-4) and Poland's Jagiellonia Białystok (1-3). As a result, Ararat-Armenia have scored just two goals while conceding 11 in their opening three matches.

Ararat-Armenia's next Europa League fixture will be an away match against Portuguese second-division side Torreense. The game is scheduled for November 5 local time, corresponding to the early hours of November 6 in Yerevan.

The Portuguese club have collected three points from their opening three matches. Torreense also suffered a heavy defeat on Matchday 3, losing 4-1 to Hungarian side Ferencváros.

UEFA Europa League 2026/27 — League Phase, Matchday 3

Ararat-Armenia (Armenia) 0-4 AZ Alkmaar (Netherlands) (HT: 0-2)

Goals: Byskov 21' (0-1), Patati 27' (0-2), Patati 76' (0-3), Meerdink 79' (0-4).

Ararat-Armenia: Bravim — Oliveira, Wilson, Malis, Grigoryan (Pereira, 73') — Maxence, Balanta (Benny, 73'), Hambardzumyan (Muradyan, 57') — Serobyan, Shaghoyan (França, 73') — Lima (Eloyan, 73').

AZ Alkmaar: De Busser — Maikuma (Kasius, 65'), Schouten, Hoedt (Ichihara, 80'), Mees de Wit — Koopmeiners, Byskov (Hessel de Wit, 80'), Kwakman — Patati, Oufkir (Daal, 46'), Kovács (Meerdink, 65').