Ajax has confirmed its place in the last 16 of the UEFA Europa League, albeit through some nail-biting moments, following their aggregate win over Union Saint-Gilloise. Thanks to Kenneth Taylor's penalty during extra time, the match concluded with Ajax edging the Belgians 3-2 overall.
The stage was set for Ajax at the Johan Cruyff Arena, having secured what appeared to be a comfortable 2-0 lead from the first leg. But the home side's confidence was soon shaken after the visitors dominated the first half, turning the tie on its head.
Union Sint-Gillis's Kevin Mac Allister stunned the home crowd by scoring only 16 minutes in, courtesy of a well-placed header. The atmosphere grew more anxious for Ajax fans just minutes later when Sofian Boufal netted what would have been the equalizer—only for VAR to intervene and rule the goal offside.
Adding to Ajax's woes, midfielder Davy Klaassen received his marching orders for handling the ball inside the box. The fallout from this decision saw Promise David convert the resulting penalty, leveling the aggregate scoreline at 2-2, adding to the tension around the Amsterdam stadium.
Despite relentless pressure from the Belgian side, Ajax managed to regroup and keep the scores level until the end of regular time. Substitutions helped, as Bertrand Traoré, Anton Gaaei, and Ahmetcan Kaplan injected some much-needed energy for the hosts. While Union Saint-Gilloise continued to pressure, Ajax goalkeeper Remko Pasveer showcased remarkable resilience, thwarting multiple shots on goal.
With no team able to break the deadlock during regulation, the match entered extra time. The pivotal moment arose three minutes after the restart when Christian Burgess inadvertently handled Traoré’s cross, resulting in another penalty for Ajax.
Taylor took on the responsibility, slotting the ball past goalkeeper Anthony Moris with precision, igniting wild celebrations among Ajax supporters. The 3-2 aggregate lead saw tension rise, particularly after Jorrel Hato left the pitch injured, leaving Ajax to finish the game with just nine players.
But the resolve was fierce, and Taylor stepped up once again with a last-ditch clearance off the line, ensuring Ajax held onto their lead. They will now await the draw for the last 16 of the competition, set to take place this Friday.
Across Europe, other teams secured their progress too; Real Sociedad produced fireworks with a notable 5-2 victory against Midtjylland, securing their passage with commanding performances. The Croatian midfielder Luka Sucic shined brightly for Sociedad, scoring two goals and helping his team to triumph over the Danish outfit with a 7-3 aggregate score.
Meanwhile, Fenerbahce, under the guidance of José Mourinho, managed to navigate their match against Anderlecht with ease, sealing the tie 5-2 overall following their 2-2 draw at Lotto Park. A back-and-forth game saw both teams exchange goals, but Fenerbahce's initial lead provided them with the impetus to proceed comfortably through to the next round.
Ajax's qualification marks their continued campaign within the Europa League, showing both their fragile and resilient nature amid difficult scenarios on the pitch. With key performances from players like Taylor and Pasveer, the squad displays potential for making impactful strides as the tournament progresses.
The Europa League has consistently brought thrilling encounters, and Ajax's latest display exemplifies the highs and lows of knockout football. Observers will be curious to see how they and the other successful teams adapt, compete, and rise to the next challenges.