Ajax achieved their first victory in the Champions League by defeating Qarabag 4-2 in a thrilling match held in Azerbaijan. This win marks a significant turnaround for the four-time European champions, who had faced a challenging campaign.
Match Summary
The game featured a series of comebacks. Ajax found themselves trailing to Qarabag twice but managed to equalize and secure the win with a strong finish. The match was heavily influenced by a compelling performance from Oscar Gloukh and Anton Gaaei.
Key Moments
- 10th Minute: Camilo Duran gave Qarabag the lead, scoring a lob over goalkeeper Vitezslav Jaros.
- 39th Minute: Ajax equalized through Kasper Dolberg, who scored with a stunning 25-yard shot.
- 46th Minute: Matheus Silva restored Qarabag’s lead with a low, deflected shot.
- 79th Minute: Oscar Gloukh scored from 20 yards to level the match at 2-2.
- 82nd Minute: Anton Gaaei scored Ajax’s third goal to take the lead.
- 90th Minute: Gloukh capped off the victory with a precise shot into the bottom corner.
Group Stage Implications
This victory lifted Ajax off the bottom of the Champions League table, but the road ahead is still challenging. Ajax faces Villarreal on January 20 and concludes the group stage against Olympiacos on January 28.
With only nine points possible, the team’s chances of advancing to the knockout stages are slim. Historically, finishing in the top 24 would require at least 11 points, a target Ajax may find difficult given their previous results.
Qarabag’s Position
For Qarabag, despite the loss, they hold seven points from six matches. The team has yet to reach the knockout stages of the Champions League. Upcoming fixtures include a home match against Eintracht Frankfurt on January 21 and an away match at Liverpool a week later.
Conclusion
The match was played under heavy rain, adding to the challenge for both teams. Ajax’s first Champions League win is a crucial step forward, and they hope to build on this momentum in their remaining matches.
