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European wrap: AZ Alkmaar triumph despite Troy Parrott's spot-kick miss, Marcus Rashford returns Barcelona to winning ways

Troy Parrott missed from the spot for the second time in a row in a league game in his side's 1-0 win over Sparta Rotterdam
Troy Parrott missed from the spot for the second time in a row in a league game in his side's 1-0 win over Sparta Rotterdam

Republic of Ireland international Troy Parrott missed a first-half penalty in AZ Alkmaar's 1-0 victory over Sparta Rotterdam.

This is the second Eredivisie game in a row that Parrott has missed from the spot. 19-year-old Kees Smit found the net in the 69th minute to keep AZ in third position and only four points back from leaders Feyenoord and second placers PSV Eindhoven.

Barcelona returned to winning ways in LaLiga with a 3-1 win over Elche.

Looking to bounce back from last weekend's El Clasico defeat to Real Madrid, Barca struck in quick succession when Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres scored within two minutes of each other.

Rafa Mir pulled one back for Elche after the break, but Marcus Rashford made the game safe in the 61st minute to move Barca five points behind leaders Real Madrid.

BARCELONA, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 2: Marcus Rashford of FC Barcelona during the LaLiga EA Sports match between FC Barcelona v Elche at the Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium on November 2, 2025 in Barcelona Spain (Photo by David Ramirez/Soccrates/Getty Images)
Marcus Rashford provided a safety net for his side in the 61st minute in their 3-1 win over Elche

Miguel Roman’s extra-time winner helped Celta Vigo secure back-to-back league victories after beating 10-man Levante 2-1, but Espanyol missed the chance to close in on the top four after being beaten 2-1 by Alaves.

Goals from Denis Suarez and Lucas Boye set Alaves on course for victory before Roberto Fernandez pulled one back and the hosts held on after Boye was shown a second yellow in stoppage-time.

Martin Frese’s stoppage-time own goal ensured Inter Milan recorded back-to-back Serie A wins with a 2-1 victory over Verona.

Inter took the lead 16 minutes in with a stunning strike from Piotr Zielinski, who smashed a first-time volley from the edge of the box into the top corner from Hakan Calhanoglu’s floated corner.

Giovane levelled for Verona on the stroke of half-time and the game looked destined for a draw until Frese’s own goal snatched three points for Inter.

Torino and Pisa shared the spoils with a 2-2 draw, while Fiorentina’s search for a first league win of the season continued after they were beaten 1-0 by Lecce, with Medon Berisha’s goal the difference.

Santiago Castro scored a brace as Bologna moved into fifth with a 3-1 win over Parma, who were reduced to 10 in the 35th minute when Christian Ordonez picked up a second yellow.

Cologne earned a 4-1 win over nine-man Hamburg in a bad-tempered Bundesliga clash.

Ragnar Ache and Florian Kainz sent Cologne ahead before Jean-Luc Dompe pulled one back, but Hamburg were suddenly reduced to nine when Immanuel Pherai and Fabio Vieira were both shown second yellow cards within four minutes of each other.

Cologne then completed their fourth league win of the campaign when Said El Mala and Jakub Kaminski scored in quick succession in stoppage-time.

Wouter Burger’s brace helped Hoffenheim earn a third straight Bundesliga win after beating Wolfsburg 3-2.

In Ligue 1, Lens moved level on points with Marseille after beating Lorient 3-0, while Felix Correia’s strike proved to be the difference for Lille to earn a 1-0 win over Angers.

Esteban Lepaul scored a hat-trick for Rennes to earn their first win in seven games after beating Strasbourg 4-1 and relegation candidates Metz earned a 2-0 victory over fellow strugglers Nantes, while Toulouse and Le Havre’s meeting finished goalless.

Brest and Lyon also shared the spoils with a 0-0 draw which saw Hans Hateboer sent off just seven minutes in.

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