FC Twente beat NEC in extra time to set up European play off final against AZ on Sunday.

On Thursday, FC Twente advanced to the playoff final for a spot in the UEFA Conference League qualifying round. The club from Enschede defeated NEC Nijmegen 3-2 in extra time. The home team accomplished this while playing approximately 80 minutes with ten men after Alex van Hoorenbeeck was sent off. They will play AZ Alkmaar in the final on Sunday.

AZ booked their final spot with much more ease. The Alkmaarders defeated SC Heerenveen 4-1 earlier on Thursday. The final will be held in Alkmaar because AZ finished fifth in the Eredivisie table and Twente finished sixth. The teams met last week in the Eredivisie. That game ended in a 2-2 draw.

FC Twente dominated the first half of the game against NEC, taking the lead through Michal Sadilek, but Van Hoorenbeeck’s red card changed the game for Joseph Oosting’s team.

The Belgian defender fouled Sontje Hansen as the NEC winger was about to break through the Twente defence and score.

NEC appeared to take advantage of the extra man, taking the lead with goals from Kodak Sano and Vito van Crooij. However, the latter provided Twente with a way back into the game when his error allowed Sem Steijn to score the equaliser.

Younes Taha scored the winner for FC Twente in extra time, sending the Tukkers to the final.

Twente knew who their opponents in the final would be before the game because Mexx Meerdink scored three goals to help AZ defeat Heerenveen in the previous match. The 21-year-old celebrated his recent contract extension by scoring three goals in the first 45 minutes of the game.

Alexandre Penetra scored another for the Alkmaarders, while Ion Nicolaescu netted a consolation goal for the visitors.