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WATCH: Utrecht Players' Wild Celebration After Historic Ajax Demolition Will Shock You.Match Summary: A Night of Utter Dominance
Utrecht’s triumph was built on ruthless efficiency and defensive resilience. Despite Ajax controlling 69% possession, the hosts capitalized on counterattacks and defensive errors to score four unanswered goals.
29’ – Sébastien Haller: The former Ajax striker opened the scoring, tapping in a cross from Siebe Horemans after outmuscling his marker. Haller refrained from celebrating against his former club.
52’ – Miguel Rodríguez: A rapid counterattack led by Yoann Cathline ended with Rodríguez slotting home a low shot, aided by a deflection off Ajax’s Jorrel Hato. VAR confirmed the goal after initial confusion.
63’ – Rodríguez’s Brace: The Spaniard curled a left-footed strike into the far corner after a clever pass from Oscar Fraulo, sealing his first Eredivisie brace.
85’ – Paxten Aaronson: The American midfielder capped the rout with a long-range strike, leaving Ajax goalkeeper Matheus rooted to the spot.
Ajax’s only notable chance came early, with Brian Brobbey hitting the crossbar in the 3rd minute. Utrecht goalkeeper Vasilis Barkas made critical saves to preserve the clean sheet, including denying Brobbey and substitute Wout Weghorst in the second half.
Tactical Breakdown: How Utrecht Outsmarted Ajax
Exploiting Ajax’s High Line: Utrecht’s game plan centered on quick transitions. With Ajax committing defenders forward, Cathline and Rodríguez repeatedly exploited space behind full-backs Anton Gaaei and Jorrel Hato.
Defensive Discipline: Led by Mike van der Hoorn and Nick Viergever, Utrecht’s backline held firm, limiting Ajax to just 3 shots on target despite their possession dominance. The midfield duo of Fraulo and Engwanda disrupted Ajax’s rhythm, forcing turnovers.
Ajax’s Creative Struggles: Without injured playmaker Branco van den Boomen, Ajax lacked incision. Jordan Henderson and Davy Klaassen were overrun, while substitutes Weghorst and Traoré failed to make an impact.
Key Statistics
Shots: Utrecht 13 (5 on target) vs. Ajax 7 (3 on target).
xG (Expected Goals): Utrecht 1.5, Ajax 0.8.
Set-Piece Woes: Ajax won 11 corners but created zero clear chances.
Post-Match Reactions
Ron Jans (Utrecht Coach): “This was a perfect performance. We knew Ajax’s weaknesses and punished them ruthlessly”.
Francesco Farioli (Ajax Manager): “A painful lesson. We were naive defensively and must improve quickly”.
Miguel Rodríguez (MOTM): “Scoring twice against Ajax is a dream. The fans were incredible tonight!”.
League Implications
Ajax (73 points): Remain 9 points clear of PSV but face a psychological blow ahead of their next match against Sparta Rotterdam.
Utrecht (59 points): Leapfrog Feyenoord into 3rd place, tightening their grip on Europa League qualification and keeping Champions League hopes alive.
Historical Context
This was Utrecht’s largest-ever victory over Ajax, surpassing their 4-3 win in October 2023. Ajax’s last 4-0 league defeat came in 2021 against PSV, highlighting the rarity of such a collapse.
Fan and Media Reaction
Social media erupted, with Utrecht fans dubbing the win “The Easter Miracle.” Ajax supporters criticized the team’s lack of urgency, while pundits questioned Farioli’s refusal to start Weghorst over the out-of-form Brobbey.
What’s Next?
Utrecht: Travel to AZ Alkmaar in a crucial top-four clash.
Ajax: Host Sparta Rotterdam, aiming to rebound before a potential title decider against PSV.
Conclusion
Utrecht’s victory was more than three points—it was a statement. For Ajax, the defeat serves as a wake-up call, proving even title-bound teams are vulnerable. As the Eredivisie season enters its final stretch, this match may well be remembered as the day Utrecht announced their return to the European stage
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