Did it deliver?
AZ looked set for a valuable victory against Ajax after Wouter Goes capitalized on a rebound to give the hosts the lead seven minutes into the second half. The defender was alert to pounce from close range after Mateo Chávez's initial effort was saved by Vítezslav Jaros. Ajax struggled to create clear chances for much of the match, with both Troy Parrott and Mika Godts spurning opportunities in a frantic period around the AZ opener. However, Francesco Farioli's side salvaged a crucial point deep into stoppage time when substitute Kian Fitz-Jim struck an equalizer, demonstrating the character that could prove vital in their title aspirations. The result maintains Ajax's momentum while AZ will feel they deserved more from a disciplined defensive performance.
Ajax travel to AZ looking to avoid a season sweep while keeping pace in the race for European qualification. Both teams are fighting for crucial points in the competitive mid-table battle, with AZ's home advantage facing Ajax's need for consistency after recent dropped points.
Leading Ajax with 8 goals and 7 assists, scored both goals in the recent Excelsior draw and is their key creative outlet
AZ's top scorer with 10 goals this season, proven threat who could exploit Ajax's defensive vulnerabilities
Provided key assist in recent win over Villarreal with dangerous crossing ability that could unlock AZ's defense
AZ
Ajax
AZ•AttackerYouri Regeer from Ajax earned a free kick in the offensive zone.
Jizz Hornkamp from AZ committed a foul.
Substitution for Ajax: Wout Weghorst comes on to replace Mika Godts.
Troy Parrott from AZ earned a free kick on the right flank.
Youri Regeer from Ajax committed a foul.
Youri Baas from Ajax has been awarded a free kick in the defensive area.
Troy Parrott committed a foul against AZ.
Kian Fitz-Jim from Ajax attempts a shot with his right foot from the left side of the penalty area, but it gets deflected.
The pause has ended. They are set to resume play.
Match halted due to an injury to Youri Regeer from Ajax.
Opportunity squandered. Ibrahim Sadiq from AZ took a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area, but it sailed high and to the right.
The attempt is denied. Ibrahim Sadiq from AZ fires a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area, but it gets intercepted. The assist came from Troy Parrott.
Another offensive push! Troy Parrott from AZ heads the ball from the center of the box, but Vítezslav Jaros from Ajax makes a great save, diving to his left. The assist came from Peer Koopmeiners.
Weslley Patati from AZ was awarded a free kick on the right side of the field.
Oleksandr Zinchenko from Ajax is involved in a risky play.
Substitution for Ajax: Oleksandr Zinchenko comes on to replace Owen Wijndal.
Substitution for Ajax: Oliver Edvardsen replaces Rayane Bounida.
Substitution for Ajax: Oscar Gloukh replaces Sean Steur.
VAR Review: Goal Disallowed - AZ 1, Ajax 0.
GOAL DISALLOWED AFTER VAR REVIEW: Troy Parrott from AZ finds the back of the net, but the goal is canceled following a VAR check.
Offside call against AZ. Ibrahim Sadiq is positioned offside.
Substitution for AZ: Weslley Patati comes off, and Isak Jensen takes his place.
Substitution for AZ: Ibrahim Sadiq comes on to replace Ro-Zangelo Daal.
Ro-Zangelo Daal from AZ has been awarded a free kick in an offensive position.
Youri Baas from Ajax committed a foul.
The attempt is thwarted. Sean Steur from Ajax takes a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area, but it gets blocked. The assist came from Mika Godts.
Corner awarded to Ajax after a play by Mees de Wit results in a defensive error.
A fresh offensive effort unfolds. Ro-Zangelo Daal from AZ takes a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area, but it is expertly stopped in the upper center of the net by Vítezslav Jaros from Ajax, with the assist credited to Peer Koopmeiners.
Substitution for Ajax: Kian Fitz-Jim comes on to replace Davy Klaassen.
Another offensive effort underway. Jizz Hornkamp from AZ heads the ball from the center of the box, but Vítezslav Jaros from Ajax makes a great save, denying it in the top center of the goal. The assist came from Peer Koopmeiners.
The attempt is thwarted. Rayane Bounida from Ajax takes a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area, but it's blocked. The assist came from Mika Godts.
Offside call against AZ. Mateo Chávez is caught in an offside position.
Owen Wijndal from Ajax has been awarded a free kick in the defensive area.
Isak Jensen from AZ committed a foul.
The attempt is thwarted. Isak Jensen from AZ fires a right-footed shot from the right side of the penalty area, but it's blocked. The assist came from Jizz Hornkamp.
Isak Jensen from AZ has been awarded a free kick in the defensive area.
Kasper Dolberg from Ajax committed a foul.
Mees de WitYellow CardMees de Wit from AZ has been shown a yellow card for committing a foul.
Mika Godts from Ajax has been awarded a free kick in the defensive area.
Mees de Wit from AZ committed a foul.
Kasper Dolberg from Ajax was awarded a free kick in an offensive position.
Alexandre Penetra from AZ committed a foul.
Offside call against AZ. Kasper Boogaard is caught in an offside position.
Isak Jensen from AZ has been awarded a free kick in the defensive area.
Davy Klaassen from Ajax committed a foul.
Corner awarded to Ajax after Wouter Goes allowed the ball to go out.
Foul committed by Peer Koopmeiners of AZ.
Davy Klaassen from Ajax has been awarded a free kick in the defensive area.
Kasper Boogaard from AZ has been awarded a free kick in the defensive area.
Sean Steur from Ajax committed a foul.
Goal! AZ takes the lead with a score of 1-0 against Ajax. Wouter Goes scores for AZ with a left-footed shot from just a few meters out, finding the center of the net.
A fresh offensive move unfolds as Mateo Chávez from AZ takes a left-footed shot from the center of the box, but it's expertly stopped in the right corner by Ajax's Vítezslav Jaros.
Missed opportunity! Mika Godts from Ajax took a right-footed shot from the center of the box, but it narrowly went wide to the left. The assist came from Kasper Dolberg during a quick counterattack.
Missed opportunity! Troy Parrott from AZ takes a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area that nearly finds the top right corner but ultimately goes wide. The chance was set up by Mateo Chávez during a quick counterattack.
Substitution for AZ: Jizz Hornkamp comes on to replace Matej Sín.
The second half is underway with the score still tied at AZ 0, Ajax 0.
The first half has concluded with the score tied at AZ 0, Ajax 0.
The first half has concluded with a score of AZ 0, Ajax 0.
Kasper Dolberg from Ajax committed a foul.
Alexandre Penetra from AZ has been awarded a free kick in the defensive area.
The attempt is thwarted. Mees de Wit from AZ fires a left-footed shot from outside the penalty area, but it gets blocked. The assist came from Troy Parrott.
The fourth official has indicated that there will be one minute of stoppage time.
Substitution for AZ: Mateo Chávez comes on to replace Seiya Maikuma, who is leaving the field due to an injury.
The pause has ended. They are set to resume play.
Match is currently on hold due to an injury to Seiya Maikuma from AZ.
Mika Godts from Ajax has been awarded a free kick in the defensive area.
Seiya Maikuma from AZ committed a foul.
The attempt is denied. Matej Sín from AZ takes a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area, but it gets blocked. The assist came from Mees de Wit.
Corner awarded to Ajax after Seiya Maikuma allowed the ball to go out of play.
A shot is deflected. Anton Gaaei from Ajax attempts a right-footed strike from outside the penalty area, but it's blocked. The assist came from Davy Klaassen.
Josip Sutalo from Ajax has been awarded a free kick in the defensive area.
Isak Jensen from AZ committed a foul.
Rayane Bounida from Ajax committed a handball.
Corner awarded to AZ after a foul by Anton Gaaei.
Corner awarded to AZ after a foul by Youri Regeer.
The attempt is thwarted. Troy Parrott from AZ takes a right-footed shot from the middle of the penalty area, but it's blocked. The assist came from Matej Sín.
Offside call against Ajax. Kasper Dolberg has been flagged for being offside.
Corner awarded to Ajax after a deflection off Jeroen Zoet.
A fresh offensive effort unfolds as Sean Steur from Ajax takes a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area. However, Jeroen Zoet of AZ makes a fantastic save, denying the attempt at the top center of the goal. The assist comes from Rayane Bounida.
Opportunity squandered. Davy Klaassen of Ajax attempted a header from the middle of the penalty area but failed to convert. The cross was delivered by Mika Godts.
Seiya Maikuma from AZ has been awarded a free kick in the defensive area.
Kasper Dolberg from Ajax committed a foul.
Ro-Zangelo Daal from AZ has been awarded a free kick in the defensive area.
Anton Gaaei from Ajax committed a foul.
Opportunity squandered. Rayane Bounida from Ajax attempted a right-footed shot from the center of the box but failed to convert.
A fresh offensive effort is underway. Kasper Boogaard from AZ takes a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area, but it's stopped by the goalkeeper.
Kasper Dolberg from Ajax earned a free kick in the offensive zone.
Fouled by Peer Koopmeiners of AZ.
Rayane Bounida from Ajax has been awarded a free kick on the right side of the field.
Mees de Wit from AZ committed a foul.
Offside call against AZ. Troy Parrott has been caught in an offside position.
Wouter Goes from AZ has been awarded a free kick in an offensive position.
Kasper Dolberg from Ajax committed a foul.
Owen Wijndal from Ajax has been awarded a free kick in the defensive area.
Isak Jensen from AZ committed a foul.
Missed opportunity! Rayane Bounida from Ajax took a left-footed shot from the center of the penalty area.
Davy Klaassen from Ajax committed a foul.
Kasper Boogaard from AZ has been awarded a free kick in the defensive area.
The opening half is underway.
