Troy Parrott (left) of AZ celebrates with Mexx Meerdink. Alamy Stock Photo

Troy Parrott scores ninth goal of the season for AZ, Atletico shocked in season opener

PSG meanwhile kicked off their Ligue Un title defence with a win.

LAST UPDATE | 17 Aug

IRELAND INTERNATIONAL Troy Parrott scored his ninth goal of the season for AZ Alkmaar today.

The Dubliner produced a clinical first-time finish from Netherlands underage international Kees Smit’s low cross.

The Irishman’s goal gave AZ a 2-1 lead in the 54th minute, but they were ultimately left frustrated and had to settle for a 2-2 draw against newly promoted FC Volendam.

The 23-year-old also scored a brace in his side’s league opener last week — a 4-1 win over FC Groningen.

Parrott has also scored in all four of his Uefa Conference League appearances — finding the net in two-legged ties against Finland’s Ilves Tampere and FC Vaduz of Liechtenstein, taking his overall tally to nine from six games.

Elsewhere, Espanyol staged a late comeback to grab a shock 2-1 win over Atletico Madrid on Sunday as Diego Simeone’s men made a disappointing start to their La Liga campaign.

Pere Milla scored a late winner as Atletico stumbled to defeat in Barcelona despite leading through Julian Alvarez’s brilliant goal.

Atletico have been busy in the transfer market, with notable arrivals including Alex Baena, David Hancko, Johnny Cardoso and Giacomo Raspadori, in a bid to challenge Barcelona and Real Madrid for the title.

Angel Correa, Rodrigo De Paul and Cesar Azpilicueta have all departed as part of the rebuild after Simeone’s team finished third, 12 points behind champions Barca last term.

Barcelona kicked off their title defence with a 3-0 win at Mallorca on Saturday, while Real Madrid host Osasuna on Tuesday.

In France, Paris Saint-Germain got their defence of the Ligue 1 title off to a winning start on Sunday as Vitinha’s deflected strike proved enough to earn the European champions a 1-0 victory away to Nantes.

The Portuguese midfielder’s effort midway through the second half beat goalkeeper Anthony Lopes with the aid of a wicked deflection off Nantes defender Chidozie Awaziem to break the deadlock.

Elsewhere on Sunday, France’s 2018 World Cup-winning striker Olivier Giroud scored his first goal for Lille in their 3-3 draw at Brest.

“It is a real pleasure to be back in Ligue 1,” said Giroud, who left Montpellier after helping them win the title in 2012 and has spent the last 13 years abroad featuring for Arsenal, Chelsea, AC Milan and Los Angeles FC.

Angers beat newly-promoted Paris FC 1-0 with Esteban Lepaul scoring the only goal early on and the hosts holding on despite playing most of the second half down to 10 men.

Strasbourg were 1-0 winners at Metz thanks to a late strike by Argentine summer signing Joaquin Panichelli.

Auxerre beat Lorient 1-0, and it is Monaco who are the first league leaders in France this season thanks to their 3-1 win over Le Havre on Saturday.

 With reporting by – © AFP 2025

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