ByDanny Caro, Danny Caro
Eyal Golasa breathed new life into Maccabi Tel Aviv's Europa League campaign by firing a late winner in Holland.
The Israeli midfielder ensured Maccabi secured their first win of the group stages as the visitors scored in each half to claim a crucial win.
AZ Alkmaar were denied by the woodwork after just four minutes when defender Derrick Luckassen saw his header crash back off the crossbar.
Maccabi opened the scoring midway through the first half when striker Ezequiel Scarione latched on to a superb pass from man-of-the-match Haris Medunjanin to volley across the keeper and into the net.
Alkmaar drew level via a 72nd minute header from Robert Mühren but a stunning long-range strike from Golasa eight minutes from time settled the contest to climb off the foot of Group D.
Israel champions Hapoel Beer Sheva suffered their first defeat in Group K as they were beaten at home 1-0 by leaders Sparta Prague.
Ovidiu Hoban saw his header hit the bar in the first half as Hapoel pepper the Sparta goal, but a close-range finish from substitute Matěj Pulkrab on 72 minutes proved decisive.
Hapoel will be looking for revenge in Prague on Matchday 4 on November 3, when Maccabi host Alkmaar.
GROUP D
1. Zenit Pl. 3, Pts. 9
2. Dundalk Pl. ,3 Pts. 4
3. Maccabi Tel Aviv Pl. 3, Pts. 3
4. AZ Alkmaar Pl. 3, Pts. 1
GROUP K
1. Sparta Prague Pl. 3, Pts. 6
2. Hapoel Beer Sheva Pl. 3, Pts. 4
3. Southampton Pl. 3, Pts. 4
4. Inter Milan Pl. 3, Pts. 3