Mateo Chávez sees AZ Alkmaar lose to Twente despite a man advantage

At the AFAS Stadion, Mexican left‑back Mateo Chávez took his place on the left flank for AZ Alkmaar, completing 87 minutes of a match that ended in a 2‑0 defeat to Twente. Despite a red card that gave the home side a numerical edge, AZ could not salvage any points before the final whistle.

Twente break the deadlock

Con the early stalemate, Twente held AZ to a deadlock for most of the first eighty‑three minutes, with both sides probing but failing to find the net. The deadlock finally shattered in the 84th minute when Sondre Orjasaeter headed home, silencing the home crowd. The goal came just before Daouda Weidmann was shown a second‑yellow, reducing AZ to ten men.

Chávez was withdrawn in the 87th minute, replaced by Bendeguz Kovacs, as AZ searched for an equaliser. Yet Twente struck again in added time, with Lucas Vennegoor of Hesselink finding the net to seal a 2‑0 victory despite the numerical superiority. The substitution did little to change the rhythm, as Twente continued to dominate possession in the closing stages.

Futbol observers noted that the Mexican, a product of Chivas’ academy and a full international for Mexico, started on the left and contributed both defensively and in forward thrusts, though he failed to create a clear chance during his 87 minutes. His effort to link defence to attack remained largely unnoticed as the team struggled to break down Twente’s organisation.

Implications for the Eredivisie table

The loss left AZ Alkmaar on 20 points, dropping them to fifth place behind Twente, who also sit on 20 points but hold a superior goal difference to claim fourth. Ajax sit second with 21 points, while Feyenoord lead the table with a three‑point cushion over the Amsterdam side. The defeat therefore represents a missed opportunity for AZ to remain in the chase for the top spots.

AZ’s next challenge arrives on 31 October when they travel to face Ajax in Amsterdam, a test of whether they can rebound quickly. Para recuperar su protagonismo, Chávez will aim to regain prominence and help his side return to winning ways after a night in which they let points slip at home.