AZ Alkmaar secured a convincing 4-0 away win over Ararat-Armenia in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday. Valdemar Byskov opened the scoring with a free kick before Brazilian winger Weslley Patati scored twice and set up Mexx Meerdink for the fourth goal.

The result gave AZ a second consecutive Europa League victory after their 2-1 win over Hapoel Be’er Sheva in the previous round.

Lee-Roy Echtold's side were dominant from the early stages. Lewis Schouten failed to convert from a corner by Mees de Wit after 12 minutes with Byskov coming close a minute later. His shot went narrowly wide of the goal.

AZ broke the deadlock in the 21st minute. The Alkmaar side won a free kick just outside the penalty area. Byskov stepped up and struck a right-footed effort over the defensive wall and into the top-right corner, beyond goalkeeper João Bravim. It was an excellent set-piece finish that broke the deadlock.

They added a second six minutes later. Seiya Maikuma supplied the assist, laying the ball off after a pass from the defence with Patati cutting inside from the right and curling a powerful left-footed shot into the far corner.

Byskov had a golden opportunity to get his second before halftime after Bendegúz Kovács found the midfielder with a deft pass, but the finish went over the goal.

AZ kept pressing in the second half, forcing Joao Victor into two early saves from Byskov and Patati. However they almost gifted the Armenians a goal in the 64th minute. Goalkeeper Jari de Busser mishandled a shot that appeared relatively straightforward to deal with. The ball slipped from his grasp and struck the post before AZ escaped without conceding. The goalkeeper had made an important error in the previous week's match as well against Hapoel Be'er Sheva.

Patati got his second to put the game to bed in the 76th minute. Ararat-Armenia defender Maxence Carlier made a poor pass that presented Patati with an excellent opportunity. The Brazilian took advantage, lifting a delicate chip over the goalkeeper to put the game beyond the hosts' reach.

Patati completed an outstanding individual performance by delivering a cross from the left for the fourth goal in the 79th minute. Meerdink met it with a close-range header into the middle of the goal.