AZ flounder as Milevskiy takes Dynamo to brink

Artem Milevskiy took his tally to six goals in five days as FC Dynamo Kyiv wrapped up an excellent week with a 2-0 victory against AZ Alkmaar.

The Ukrainian side claimed a record 9-0 win at FC Illychivets Mariupil on Sunday, but tonight's Group E triumph could prove more important. Two Milevskiy efforts in the opening 16 minutes of the second half ultimately proved the difference, three richly-deserved points leaving Dynamo favourites to join already-qualified FC BATE Borisov in the UEFA Europa League round of 32.

Dynamo's caretaker coach Oleh Luzhny went into the game "expecting only victory" and that sentiment was echoed by his players, their intentions obvious the moment Ognjen Vukojević surged into the area inside two minutes. A centre-back's touch meant Sergio Romero could keep his kit clean in the Kyiv drizzle but not for long as Andriy Yarmolenko cut in from the left and brought an acrobatic stop from the goalkeeper.

Yarmolenko was at the heart of much of Dynamo's slick play, popping up on the other flank midway through the first period and flashing at goal. Romero pushed the effort away but into the path of Milevskiy, whose shot was brilliantly clawed behind by the recovering keeper – he should not have been given the chance. Dynamo's influential No10 made amends within 60 seconds of half-time, however.

Roman Eremenko was the instigator, unlocking the visitors' back line with a lovely disguised pass and Milevskiy dutifully fired beyond Romero. Moribund as an attacking threat, the prospects of AZ halting a run of eight away games in UEFA competition without a win did not look good. The outlook soon got gloomier, Milevskiy and Eremenko again combining to expose the Dutch side and the former prodding in. He could have had a hat-trick, but two goals to add to his four against Illychivets is not a bad week's work.