On the evening of the highly anticipated Europa League match, around one thousand fans from the Belgian club Union Sint-Gillis gathered at Dam Square, making their way to Strandvliet via the metro to support their team against Ajax. The fans, donning blue and yellow colors, displayed cautious optimism with many expressing doubts about their team’s chances of securing a favorable outcome. Unlike typical European match days, the supporters had not flooded the city earlier, but they were clearly present as the kickoff approached.
The match, set to begin at 21:00 local time, featured Ajax defending their 2-0 lead from the first leg held in Brussels, putting Union Sint-Gillis at a disadvantage. The visitors faced the pressure of needing to win by at least two goals to secure advancement to the next round of the Europa League. Observations from the streets of Amsterdam noted Union fans congregated earlier at local cafes, where one supporter remarked, “If we fall behind early, it’s going to be a tough evening.” Meanwhile, Ajax fans were more lively, buoyed by their club’s recent performances, as they currently sat atop the league standings, with five points clear of their nearest rival, PSV.
During the game, held at the Johan Cruijff Arena, Union Sint-Gillis looked to capitalize on every opportunity after obtaining the advantage of having one player more on the field for significant portions of the match. This situation, noted many Belgian pundits, could have led to different repercussions had they made the most of the advantage. The sentiment, particularly from media outlets like Sporza and Het Laatste Nieuws, was sharply focused on the last-minute decisions and missed chances, with Sporza commenting on the encounter saying, “What a pity, Union seemed on track for an upset.”
Despite being down 0-2 early, Union Sint-Gillis managed to equalize, much to the disbelief and excitement of their supporters, showcasing resilience and tenacity. They dominated possession but lacked the finishing touch, failing to secure what would have been a historic win against Ajax. With a thrilling atmosphere building, Union continued to press forward, desperately seeking the elusive third goal which would have secured their place in the next round.
Controversial calls plagued the match, particularly surrounding the no-call on what appeared to be a penalty for the visiting team. A late incident involving Ajax goalkeeper Remko Pasveer and Union's Kevin Rodriguez raised eyebrows among fans and analysts alike, with Sporza questioning, “But shouldn’t Union have been awarded a penalty at the last minute?” The outcry from Union supporters grew as they pushed relentlessly against Ajax’s defense, but were met with denials from both the referee and the VAR system.
The tension escalated approaching the end of regular time and throughout the extra time, as Union forced Ajax to dig deep defensively. Unfortunately for the visitors, just when it seemed they could secure at least one more goal, Ajax responded swiftly with the winning score, leaving Union with heartbreak. Commenting on Union’s fiery performance, Het Nieuwsblad said, “A miracle could have happened, but Union couldn’t find the breakthrough.”
With the match concluded, the mood reflected the bittersweet nature of their endeavor. Union Sint-Gillis may have come up short, but they displayed remarkable resolve and sparked hope among their supporters. "Despite the setback, we showed we could compete with the best," expressed one fan post-match. Meanwhile, the Ajax contingent celebrated with relief, having narrowly escaped what could have become one of their most embarrassing defeats at home. The police reported the atmosphere was largely peaceful throughout the evening, with only one isolated incident involving a fan arrest for provocations.
Reflecting on the match’s outcome, Belgian media outlets unanimously echoed sentiments about missed opportunities and questionable officiative decisions. commentators expressed disappointment but acknowledged Union Sint-Gillis's potential, signaling optimism for their future engagements. "Union's effort wasn’t enough, but their spirit was commendable," summarized Le Derniere Heure. The game not only encapsulated the fervor of European football but also highlighted the intense rivalry and the unpredictability of knockout competitions.