The clash for third place in the Eredivisie between Ajax and NEC ended in a 1-1 draw in Amsterdam. This match took place at the Johan Cruijff Arena, with both teams now sitting at 43 points from 24 matches.
Match Overview
Mika Godts opened the scoring for Ajax five minutes before halftime. However, Darko Nejasmic equalized for NEC shortly after the break. With this result, NEC remains in third place due to a slightly better goal difference.
Recent Form
- Ajax was unbeaten in ten consecutive Eredivisie matches, with six wins and four draws.
- NEC also had a streak of ten matches without a loss, though they had two recent games without a win.
Player Highlights
Ajax made some notable changes for this match. Maarten Paes made his debut as goalkeeper, replacing Vitezslav Jaros, who is out for the season. Kian Fitz-Jim started instead of Davy Klaassen, who was unfit on his 33rd birthday.
Scoring Breakdown
- 39th minute: Mika Godts scored his 13th goal of the season after capitalizing on a mistake by NEC defender Kodai Sano.
- 57th minute: Darko Nejasmic leveled the score from a seated position after a corner kick.
Key Moments
Despite Ajax’s early lead, NEC looked more threatening throughout the match. Highlights included:
- A disallowed goal by Sami Ouaissa in the 25th minute due to an offside call by VAR.
- A close-save chance from NEC’s Bryan Linssen, denied by Paes.
- A missed opportunity for Ajax when Godts failed to score near the end.
Return of Steven Berghuis
A significant moment for Ajax was the return of Steven Berghuis, who played his first match since October 2025 after a lengthy injury layoff.
This draw illustrates the competitive nature of the Eredivisie, keeping Ajax and NEC neck-and-neck in their pursuit of higher standings. The tension will continue to build as both teams prepare for the upcoming fixtures. Ajax and NEC are both determined to secure their positions in the league.
