Sparta Rotterdam II vs Jong AZ

Sparta Rotterdam II took the lead against the run of play in first-half stoppage time, finding the net in the 45+1st minute to go into the break 1-0 up. The goal came just before the half-time whistle, giving the home side a narrow advantage at the interval.

Whatever Jong AZ's coaching staff said at half-time had an immediate effect. The visitors equalised in the 50th minute through an unconfirmed scorer, then grabbed the lead just 60 seconds later — a quickfire double in the 51st minute that completely flipped the match on its head.

Sparta II showed resilience and levelled things up in the 60th minute, making it 2-2 with half an hour still to play. But Jong AZ struck the decisive blow in the 83rd minute, netting a third goal that proved to be the winner.

The match swung decisively in Jong AZ's favour during a two-minute spell immediately after half-time. Having been 1-0 down at the break, the Alkmaar reserves scored twice in the space of 60 seconds (50' and 51') to turn the match around before Sparta II could settle into the second half. Sparta II did equalise on the hour mark, but Jong AZ's third goal in the 83rd minute ensured they would not be caught again.

Scorer names were not published for this friendly, but the provider data confirms:

• Sparta Rotterdam II — scored in the 45+1st minute (first half stoppage time) and the 60th minute to level at 2-2, showing character after falling behind early in the second half.
• Jong AZ — the rapid double-strike immediately after the interval (50', 51') changed the complexion of the match, and the decisive 83rd-minute goal secured the win.

The provider payload confirms five goals across the 90 minutes, with all the action concentrated in the second half. Sparta II led 1-0 at half-time, but Jong AZ's three-goal salvo in the second half (50', 51', 83') proved decisive. The 2-3 result continues a trend in this fixture: both previous H2H meetings have produced over 2.5 goals (100%), with a combined 9 goals across 2 matches averaging 4.5 per game. Jong AZ now lead the head-to-head 2-0, having won the previous meeting 5-0 in 2024.

This is a pre-season friendly for both reserve sides, with neither team in competitive action until their respective league campaigns begin. Sparta Rotterdam II compete in the Tweede Divisie (third tier of Dutch football), while Jong AZ play in the Eerste Divisie (second tier). The result gives Jong AZ a positive note in their pre-season preparations, while Sparta II will take encouragement from having led twice against a side that plays at a higher level.

A thoroughly entertaining friendly that saw five goals and a dramatic swing in momentum. Jong AZ's clinical start to the second half proved decisive, with the two-minute double that flipped the score from 1-0 down to 2-1 up. Sparta II's equaliser on the hour suggested they might salvage a draw, but Jong AZ's 83rd-minute winner was ultimately deserved on the balance of second-half play.