Ajax failed to win the KNVB Cup against PSV. Regular time gave no winner after goals from Jarred Branthwaite (own goal) and Thorgan Hazard: 1-1. After penalties it became 3-2 for PSV, Fabio Silva scored the decisive penalty.
The cup final (a repeat of last year) had a very lackluster start. It therefore took a long time before the first danger was created. Davy Klaassen was pushed and collapsed in the penalty area. Referee Dennis Higler disagreed. Moments later, Ajax got away well, after Yohan Bokayoko pushed the ball wide of the goal. Before that, a dangerous cross from Jordan Teze had already slipped away by Jorge Sánchez.
The team from Eindhoven had the greatest opportunity due to a mistake by the team from Amsterdam. Klaassen lost the ball to Joey Veerman and he sent Guus Til away. However, the midfielder failed one on one with Geronimo Rulli. Out of the blue, Ajax took the lead right before the break. Dusan Tadic gave deep to Steven Bergwijn, after which his shot disappeared over the line via Jarred Branthwaite: 1-0.
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Devyne Rensch was a question mark for the cup final and was not fit enough to start. He came right in after the break. The right back saw that Ajax could not complain again soon. André Ramalho hit from a corner, but was well offside. The team from Amsterdam saw this as a warning and went in search of the 2-0. Brian Brobbey was given an excellent opportunity to do so. He outplayed goalkeeper Joël Drommel and shot full with the left on the inside of the post.
Equalizer
It was extra sour that PSV then came to 1-1. Xavi Simons passed the ball and Thorgan Hazard tapped in. After a clumsy loss of the ball by Edson Álvarez, Simons could hurt Ajax even more. However, the Amsterdammer found Rulli on his way, who made a good save. Extra time followed, in which Branthwaite created a good big chance. However, the defender pushed the ball in front.
Silva decides
Penalty kicks ultimately had to be the deciding factor. Dusan Tadic and Thorgan Hazard scored their penalty, after which Brian Brobbey (high over), Andre Ramalho (rescue Rulli), Jurrien Timber (crossbar) and Ibrahim Sangaré (post) missed. Via Mika Godts and Anwar El Ghazi it became 2-2. Edson Álvarez fired at Drommel. Fabio Silva then scored.
Setup Ajax: Rulli; Sánchez (Rensch/46), Timber, Álvarez, Hato (Wijndal/75); Grillitsch (Bassey/68), Klaassen (Vos/115), Tadic; Berghuis (Conceicao/75), Brobbey, Bergwijn (Godts/115)
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