Ajax took control of their UEFA Europa League first-leg match against Union Saint-Gilloise, claiming a decisive 2-0 victory at the King Baudouin Stadium on February 13, 2025. The match saw 10,853 fans witness two stunning strikes from the visitors, which puts them in a favourable position heading back to Amsterdam for the second leg of the knockout stage.
The evening began with Ajax coming very close to taking the lead as early as the eighth minute. A corner was delivered dangerously, and Oliver Edvardsen attempted to bundle the ball over the line. Goal-line technology was called upon, but the result left fans breathless as it was determined the ball did not fully cross the line. The VAR, similarly, chose not to intervene, leaving Ajax with nothing to show for their early pressure. The first half was filled with tactical struggles, including two disallowed goals for Union Saint-Gilloise, which might have changed the course of the match.
Finally, it was Ajax who scored first, taking the lead just before the hour mark. Christian Rasmussen broke the deadlock with a beautiful strike from just outside the box. Kian Fitz-Jim spotted him free on the left and delivered a precise pass, allowing Rasmussen to hit his shot cleanly off the post and send it past the Union goalkeeper, Anthony Moris. "The Belgian side were made to rue those disallowed strikes when Ajax’s Christian Rasmussen found the breakthrough just moments before the hour mark," reported by Flashscore.
Shortly after Rasmussen’s goal, the momentum shifted even more firmly in Ajax's favour. Young star Jorthy Mokio, only 16 years old, showcased his talent by scoring Ajax's second goal of the night. Following a corner taken by Steven Berghuis, Union’s defence initially cleared their lines; but the ball fell to Mokio, who was well positioned at the edge of the penalty area. With precision, he struck the ball on the volley, placing it perfectly beyond Moris's reach and firmly putting the game out of Union’s reach. "Sixteen-year-old Jorthy Mokio produced a stunning effort to double Ajax’s advantage," the report confirmed.
This was particularly impressive for Mokio as it marked his first goal at the senior level, highlighting Ajax’s successful youth development program. His performance will provide confidence for not only him but also for the Ajax squad as they gear up for their next league challenges. The victory left the Dutch side pleased with their away result, securing key goals and maintaining momentum headed back for the second leg.
Reflecting on the match statistics, Ajax dominated the goal count with seven shots on target compared to Union Saint-Gilloise's four. Ajax also showed resilience and skill, maintaining strong possession throughout the game, showcasing their tactical discipline.
Union Saint-Gilloise now faces the task of overcoming the deficit as they prepare for the return leg at Ajax’s home ground. The Belgian club will need to turn around their fortunes: they have not won the first leg of any major European knockout tie since April 1959 against Roma. The match against Ajax highlighted areas for improvement but also demonstrated their ability to compete against high-level opposition.
AJax, for their part, will be buoyed by their win as they plan to continue their run of form after successfully progressing through earlier stages of the tournament. Their record indicates confidence; Ajax remains unbeaten against Belgian clubs on their travels since December 2003.
With two goals and two significant performances, Ajax placed themselves firmly on track to advance to the next stage of the Europa League. The upcoming second leg promises to be full of anticipation and excitement as both teams adjust their strategies and tackle the challenges head-on. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely as Ajax returns to Amsterdam, aiming to build on this solid foundation or if Union Saint-Gilloise can pull off the upset next week.