Euro Wrap: Parrott on the mark again as Alkmaar thrash Spart Praha, Villa and Forest progress

Meanwhile, Ismaila Sarr booked Crystal Palace a Conference League quarter-final meeting with Fiorentina with the extra-time winner in their 2-1 victory at nine-man AEK Larnaca to settle the tie by the same score on aggregate

AZ Alkmaar's Irish forward #09 Troy Parrott reacts during the Dutch Eredivisie football match between AZ Alkmaar and Ajax Amsterdam at AFAS Stadion in Alkmaar on February 8, 2026. (Photo by Olaf Kraak / ANP / AFP via Getty Images) / Netherlands OUT

Troy Parrott was on the mark again for AZ Alkmaar as the Dutch side destroyed Sparta Praha 0-4 in Prague - where Ireland will take on the Czechs a week from now in the World Cup play-off semi final - to reach the Conference League quarter-finals. 

Isak Jensen put Alkmaar ahead after only eight minutes. The game was tightly contested up until the 58th minute when Parrott hit the back of the net  after coming onto a first time cross from the right hand side and using his left peg to guide the ball into the top corner.