AZ Alkmaar failed to overturn a 3-0 first-leg deficit in their home UEFA Conference League tie with Shakhtar Donetsk on Thursday night.
Alkmaar side drew 2-2 on the night, losing 5-2 over the two legs. With the second leg goalless at half-time, any faint hopes of a rousing comeback were put to bed when Alisson Santana put the away side 1-0 ahead on the night just before the hour mark.
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Danish winger Isak Jensen equalised on the night for the hosts in the 73rd minute before Matej Sin put them 2-1 ahead with 10 mintues remaining. The Ukranian visitors levelled the game three minutes later through Luca Meirelles.
In another game of the night, Crystal Palace completed a great evening for Premier League clubs by holding on to beat Fiorentina 4-2 on aggregate despite a 2-1 defeat in Italy.
AEK Athens almost pulled off a dramatic second-leg comeback, winning 3-1 at home to Rayo Vallecano but succumbing 4-3 overall on aggregate.
The most eye-catching result of the night saw Strasbourg overturn a 2-0 first-leg defeat by beating Mainz 4-0 on the night to progress to the semi-finals.
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