UEFA Europa Conference League Round of 16: AZ Alkmaar 2-1 Sparta Praha In a tightly contested UEFA Europa Conference League knockout tie, Dutch side AZ Alkmaar secured a crucial 2-1 first-leg victory over Czech champions Sparta Praha at the AFAS Stadion. A late winner from the home side broke the deadlock and gives them a slender but valuable advantage to take to Prague for the return fixture. The match began with high intensity as both teams sought an early advantage. AZ, playing with their characteristic possession-based style, broke through in the 28th minute when their talismanic forward latched onto a through ball and finished calmly past the Sparta keeper. The Czech visitors responded with resilience and found their equalizer just before the hour mark, capitalizing on a defensive lapse to slot home from close range. The game seemed destined for a draw until the 82nd minute, when a cleverly worked short corner resulted in a driven cross being met by a powerful header from an AZ defender, sending the home crowd into raptures. The key focus point was AZ's ability to regain control of the match after Sparta's equalizer, showing the maturity required at this stage of European competition. The winning goal, a well-rehearsed set-piece, highlighted the tactical preparation of the home side. The result leaves the tie finely balanced, but AZ will be the happier of the two camps. With this win, AZ Alkmaar strengthens its position in the competition, while Sparta Praha faces an uphill battle at home but remains very much in the tie with a crucial away goal to their name. Post-match, the AZ manager praised his team's character: "We showed great mentality to find the winner after they came back. It's a good result, but we know the job is only half done." The Sparta coach remained optimistic: "We showed we can compete here. A 2-1 defeat away is not a disaster. We will be ready for them in Prague." Lineups: AZ Alkmaar: Ryan; Sugawara, Beukema, Martins Indi, Wolfe; Clasie, Mijnans; Odgaard, De Wit, Van Brederode; Pavlidis. Sparta Praha: Vindahl; Wiesner, Krejci, Sorensen, Panak; Kairinen, Laci; Haraslin, Karabec, Birmančević; Kuchta.