Initially, Ajax seemed to book a simple victory over RKC after two goals from Sébastien Haller before half-time. In the second half, the Brabanders brutally came back to 2-2, after which Dusan Tadic made 3-2 in the final phase from the penalty spot.
Jurriën Timber and Noussair Mazraoui were absent from Ajax due to injuries. They were replaced by Perr Schuurs and Devyne Rensch. In the opening phase, Sébastien Haller had a great chance for the header, but goalkeeper Issam El Maach boxed the ball away. In the counter-punch Michiel Kramer was able to head. This time André Onana was the savior. After a little more than half an hour of play, Haller broke the spell after Antony passed on. The VAR looked at the goal for offside, but that was not established: 1-0.
A few minutes later, the Franco-Ivorian striker made his second of the afternoon. After a pass from Steven Berghuis, Haller scored well: 2-0. This goal was also checked by the video referee, but again the goal stood. In the final phase of the first half, Ajax diligently went in search of the 3-0. For example, Dusan Tadic tried to tip the ball over El Maach. The goalkeeper was alert. With a great chance for Schuurs, the RKC goalie was also the spoilsport.
Check out Richard van der Venne’s equalizer below:
Brutal comeback RKC
The wide margin that Ajax grabbed in the first half, disappeared like snow in the sun after the break. First, Kramer brought the tension back, after he was able to easily continue and shot the 2-1 behind Onana. The Waalwijkers’ comeback was complete a few minutes later when Jens Odgaard passed the ball to Richard van der Venne. The midfielder then shot the ball behind Onana: 2-2.
After the goal, the game mainly took place in the half of RKC, but Ajax got few great opportunities. This changed after a Haller bet ended up on the post. Hereafter, a punt from Tadic ended just wide. For example, the team from Amsterdam again seemed to be heading for a loss of points after the disgrace against Go Ahead Eagles. After a foul on Antony van Luuk Wouters, Tadic was allowed to take a penalty. The captain had previously missed against Heracles Almelo and FC Twente, but this one went well: 3-2.
With the win, Ajax takes the lead again from PSV, which beat Heracles earlier in the day.
Ajax setup: onana; Rensch (Tagliafico/70), Schuurs, Martínez, Blind; Álvarez (Kudus/81), Gravenberch (Klaassen/62), Berghuis; Antony, Haller, Tadic