Did it deliver?
Ajax looked to be cruising to victory after Mika Godts scored twice in the first half, showcasing clinical finishing with two well-taken shots from inside the penalty area. However, Excelsior's inspired second-half substitutions completely transformed the match dynamics. The introduction of Miliano Jonathans, Lewis Schouten, and Gyan de Regt shifted the momentum decisively, with substitute Jonathans pulling one back with a towering header from de Regt's cross before Arthur Zagré completed the remarkable comeback just five minutes later. This dramatic fightback salvages a crucial point for Excelsior in their Eredivisie campaign while denying Ajax what seemed like a comfortable three points on the road.
Excelsior
Ajax
Ajax•AttackerThe fourth official has indicated that there will be 5 minutes of stoppage time.
Offside call against Excelsior. Mike van Duinen is caught in an offside position.
Substitution for Excelsior: Mike van Duinen is coming on to replace Lennard Hartjes.
Offside call against Ajax. Wout Weghorst has been caught in an offside position.
Ilias Bronkhorst from Excelsior has been awarded a free kick in the defensive area.
Davy Klaassen from Ajax committed a foul.
Youri Baas from Ajax has earned a free kick in an offensive position.
Noah Naujoks from Excelsior committed a foul.
The pause has ended. They are set to resume play.
The match is currently on hold due to an injury to Youri Regeer from Ajax.
Offside call against Ajax. Wout Weghorst has been caught in an offside position.
Wout Weghorst had a great opportunity for Ajax, firing a right-footed shot from the center of the box that narrowly missed the target. The assist came from Oliver Edvardsen.
Substitution for Ajax: Takehiro Tomiyasu replaces Jorthy Mokio.
Wout Weghorst had a great opportunity for Ajax, firing a right-footed shot from the center of the box that narrowly missed the target. The assist came from Oliver Edvardsen.
assist: Gyan de Regt
Goal! Excelsior has equalized at 2-2 against Ajax. Arthur Zagré scored with a left-footed shot from a challenging angle on the left, finding the top left corner of the net. The assist came from Gyan de Regt.
The attempt is thwarted. Miliano Jonathans from Excelsior fires a left-footed shot from outside the penalty area, but it's blocked. The setup came from Irakli Yegoian.
assist: Gyan de Regt
Goal! Excelsior 1, Ajax 2. Miliano Jonathans scores for Excelsior with a header from the center of the box, directing it into the bottom right corner. The assist came from Gyan de Regt, who delivered a precise cross.
Miliano Jonathans from Excelsior earned a free kick on the right side of the field.
Davy Klaassen from Ajax committed a foul.
Lewis SchoutenYellow CardLewis Schouten from Excelsior has been shown a yellow card for committing a foul.
Mika Godts from Ajax has been awarded a free kick in the defensive area.
Foul committed by Lewis Schouten of Excelsior.
Substitution for Ajax: Oliver Edvardsen comes on to replace Rayane Bounida.
Substitution for Ajax: Wout Weghorst comes on to replace Kasper Dolberg.
Substitution for Excelsior: Lewis Schouten replaces Jerolldino Bergraaf.
Substitution for Excelsior: Lewis Schouten replaces Jerolldino Bergraaf.
Substitution for Excelsior: Miliano Jonathans comes on to replace Derensili Sanches Fernandes.
Substitution for Excelsior: Gyan de Regt comes on to replace Emil Hansson.
Ilias Bronkhorst from Excelsior has been awarded a free kick on the right flank.
Mika Godts from Ajax committed a foul.
Mika Godts from Ajax committed a foul.
Derensili Sanches Fernandes from Excelsior earned a free kick on the right side of the field.
Missed opportunity. Irakli Yegoian from Excelsior attempted a left-footed shot from the right side of the penalty area, but it went wide. The assist came from Ilias Bronkhorst.
Corner kick awarded to Excelsior after Jorthy Mokio allowed the ball to go out.
Youri Regeer from Ajax has been awarded a free kick in the defensive area.
Jerolldino Bergraaf from Excelsior committed a foul.
Opportunity wasted. Rayane Bounida of Ajax took a left-footed shot from outside the penalty area that narrowly missed the target. The assist came from Mika Godts.
Corner awarded to Ajax after Jerolldino Bergraaf allowed the ball to go out.
Mika Godts from Ajax earned a free kick on the left side of the field.
Ilias Bronkhorst from Excelsior committed a foul.
Rayane Bounida from Ajax has been awarded a free kick in the defensive area.
Emil Hansson from Excelsior committed a foul.
Missed opportunity! Irakli Yegoian from Excelsior attempted a header from the center of the penalty area but failed to find the target. The assist came from Ilias Bronkhorst.
Missed opportunity! Lennard Hartjes from Excelsior attempted a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area but it went wide. The assist came from Jerolldino Bergraaf following a corner kick.
Corner awarded to Excelsior after Davy Klaassen allowed the ball to go out.
Offside call against Excelsior. Jerolldino Bergraaf has been flagged for offside.
The second half is underway with the score at Excelsior 0, Ajax 2.
The first half has concluded with the score at Excelsior 0, Ajax 2.
The fourth official has indicated that there will be no additional time added.
Kasper Dolberg from Ajax earned a free kick in an offensive position.
Casper Widell from Excelsior committed a foul.
Missed opportunity! Mika Godts from Ajax took a right-footed shot from the center of the penalty area.
Corner kick awarded to Excelsior after Josip Sutalo allowed the ball to go out.
assist: Kasper Dolberg
Goal! Excelsior 0, Ajax 2. Mika Godts scores for Ajax with a right-footed shot from the middle of the penalty area, sending the ball into the top center of the net. The assist comes from Kasper Dolberg.
The attempt is thwarted. Rayane Bounida of Ajax takes a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area, but it gets blocked. The assist came from Davy Klaassen.
Missed opportunity. Irakli Yegoian from Excelsior attempted a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area.
The attempt is thwarted. Rick Meissen from Excelsior heads the ball from the middle of the penalty area, but it's blocked. The setup came from Emil Hansson, who delivered a cross.
Corner awarded to Excelsior after a play that resulted in a deflection off Youri Regeer.
Offside call against Excelsior. Jerolldino Bergraaf has been flagged for being offside.
A fresh offensive move unfolds as Mika Godts from Ajax takes a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area. The effort is thwarted by Stijn van Gassel, the goalkeeper for Excelsior, who makes a save right in the middle of the goal. The assist for this play came from Jorthy Mokio.
Kasper Dolberg from Ajax was awarded a free kick in the offensive zone.
Casper Widell from Excelsior committed a foul.
The pause has ended. They're set to resume play.
Match is currently on hold due to an injury to Arthur Zagré from Excelsior.
Youri Baas from Ajax has been awarded a free kick in the defensive area.
Fouled by Derensili Sanches Fernandes of Excelsior.
Youri Regeer from Ajax has been awarded a free kick in the defensive area.
Derensili Sanches Fernandes from Excelsior committed a foul.
Mika Godts from Ajax committed a handball.
Missed opportunity. Mika Godts from Ajax attempted a left-footed shot from the left side of the penalty area but sent it wide to the left.
assist: Rayane Bounida
Goal! Excelsior 0, Ajax 1. Mika Godts scores for Ajax with a right-footed shot from the center of the box into the bottom left corner, assisted by Rayane Bounida.
Jorthy Mokio from Ajax has been awarded a free kick in the defensive area.
Jerolldino Bergraaf from Excelsior committed a foul.
Opportunity squandered! Davy Klaassen from Ajax took a left-footed shot from the left side of the penalty area but failed to hit the target. The assist came from Jorthy Mokio.
Josip Sutalo from Ajax has been awarded a free kick in the defensive area.
Noah Naujoks from Excelsior committed a foul.
The opening half is underway...
