Ajax has managed to reach the cup final for the third time in four years. The team from Amsterdam defeated AZ in a clinical manner 2-0 in Alkmaar. The goals were from Steven Berghuis and Davy Klaassen.
Neither team played in their best formation. At AZ, Fredrik Midtsjø was not in the selection due to an injury. Noussair Mazraoui (knee problems) was missing from the team from Amsterdam and Davy Klaassen took a seat on the bench again. Ryan Gravenberch was in the starting line-up for him.
Former AZ player Steven Berghuis broke the spell after eleven minutes with a long shot. The ball hit the post behind Peter Vindahl: 0-1. The first half was further characterized by several minor disturbances. The only danger from AZ was a volley from Jesper Karlsson that went high. Ajax player Antony hit the bar before halftime.
Watch Berghuis’ opening goal below:
Klaassen decision
The disturbances did not stop after the break, making it unusually exciting. Neither team had any cleared chances. Antony’s shot ended in Vindahl’s hands, Berghuis later forced the goalie to make a save. AZ could only counter this with a cracked shot from substitute Tijjani Reijnders.
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Just before time, substitute Klaassen decided the game after a cross from another substitute, Nicolas Tagliafico. The midfielder could easily tap the ball in for an open goal: 0-2. The victory of Ajax brings an end to the long unbeaten run of eighteen matches of the Alkmaarders.
The final will be played on April 17 (Easter Monday) in the Rotterdam Kuip. Then Ajax will take on PSV. They defeated Go Ahead Eagles on Wednesday night.
AZ . setup: Vindahl; Witry (Sowah/57), Hatzidiakos (Beukema/57), Martins Indi, Wijndal; Sugawara, DeWit, Clasie, Karlsson; Pavlidis, Aboukhlal (Reijnders/46)
Ajax setup: onana; Timber, Schuurs, Martínez, Blind (Tagliafico/75); Álvarez, Gravenberch, Berghuis (Klaassen/81); Antony, Haller, Tadic