Ajax Amsterdam vs Willem II

The Eredivisie returned to action on September 15, 2026, as a capacity crowd gathered to witness a high-stakes encounter between Ajax Amsterdam and Willem II. With both sides eager to establish their rhythm early in the season, the atmosphere was electric under the stadium lights.

Late First-Half Blitz

The opening half-hour was a cagey affair, with Ajax controlling much of the possession but struggling to break through a disciplined Willem II defense. Steven Berghuis and Davy Klaassen saw early efforts saved or miss the target, while the visitors looked to catch the hosts on the break. However, the deadlock was finally broken in the 41st minute when Kasper Dolberg set up Davy Klaassen, who clinically found the back of the net with a right-footed strike. The momentum shifted instantly, and just before the halftime whistle, Julian Brandt doubled the lead with a precise left-footed finish following an assist from Lucas Rosa, leaving the visitors with a mountain to climb.

Second Half Dominance

Ajax showed no signs of slowing down after the interval, maintaining nearly 70% of the ball. Tactical changes from both managers saw Viktor Tsigankov and Sofyan Amrabat enter the fray, and the impact was immediate. In the 69th minute, Oscar Gloukh turned provider for Viktor Tsigankov, who extended the lead to three. Only five minutes later, Gloukh got himself on the scoresheet with a well-taken goal, again assisted by the ever-present Kasper Dolberg. Despite the scoreline, Willem II found a glimmer of hope in the 76th minute when Alessandro Ciranni tapped in a cross from Uriel van Aalst to make it 4-1, punishing a rare lapse in the home defense.

Dolberg Seals the Deal

Any hopes of a miraculous comeback were quickly extinguished as Ajax reasserted their control in the closing stages. The 54,018 fans in attendance were treated to one final moment of brilliance in the 87th minute. Kasper Dolberg, who had been the architect of so much of the home side's play, finally got his own name on the scoresheet by steering a powerful header into the net. As the final whistle blew, the statistics reflected a dominant performance, with Ajax commanding the pitch and securing three vital points in front of their home support.