Ajax turned the tide against Willem II in a thrilling finish, securing a 2-1 victory in the Eredivisie match held on April 13, 2025, at the Koning Willem II Stadion. The match was part of Speelronde 29 and showcased a dramatic comeback from the visitors, who were trailing at halftime.
Willem II, struggling at the bottom of the league table, took an unexpected lead in the 41st minute when Emilio Kehrer found the back of the net with a powerful strike. The home crowd erupted as Kehrer, playing in front of his family, capitalized on a chance that came from a quick transition. Despite being the underdogs, Willem II displayed resilience, holding Ajax at bay for most of the first half.
The first half was marked by a few missed opportunities and controversial moments, particularly involving referee Marc Nagtegaal. Ajax appealed for a penalty when Davy Klaassen went down in the box, but Nagtegaal waved play on. The same occurred in the dying minutes of the match when Willem II felt they were denied a penalty after Kian Fitz-Jim’s challenge on Kehrer, but again, the referee did not award it, a decision that sparked outrage among the home fans.
As the second half unfolded, Ajax's coach Francesco Farioli made crucial substitutions, bringing on Wout Weghorst and Oliver Edvardsen. These changes proved pivotal as Ajax sought to overturn the deficit. The visitors began to assert their dominance, but Willem II's goalkeeper Thomas Didillon was in fine form, making several key saves to keep his team in the lead.
In the 74th minute, Edvardsen scored the equalizer for Ajax, neatly finishing a well-placed pass from Steven Berghuis. The goal shifted the momentum, and Ajax, sensing victory, pushed forward relentlessly. Just four minutes later, Weghorst scored the winner, converting a chance created by Edvardsen, who had been instrumental since his introduction.
Willem II's hopes of securing at least a point were dashed as Ajax continued to threaten. In the 90+3rd minute, Berghuis came close to extending Ajax's lead but struck the side netting instead. The home team, despite their spirited performance, failed to create any clear-cut chances in the closing stages.
Despite the loss, Willem II can take some positives from their performance, especially the debut of 17-year-old Jens Mathijsen, who started the match. Mathijsen, the son of former international Joris Mathijsen, was thrust into the starting lineup due to injuries, including that of Mickaël Tirpan, who is sidelined with sarcoidosis.
Willem II's last victory was back on December 22, 2024, against NEC, and they remain mired in the relegation zone with just two points this season. The defeat leaves them five points adrift of RKC Waalwijk and Almere City FC, with a daunting task ahead to secure their safety in the league.
Ajax, on the other hand, continues their unbeaten run in the league this year, now sitting comfortably at the top of the Eredivisie standings. The victory against Willem II keeps the pressure on their closest rivals, especially after PSV's impressive 5-0 win over Almere City earlier in the day.
As the match concluded, referee Nagtegaal faced scrutiny for his officiating decisions, particularly regarding the denied penalties. Analysts and fans took to social media to voice their frustrations, questioning the consistency of the officiating and the role of the VAR, which upheld Nagtegaal's decisions without intervention.
Looking ahead, Ajax will be eager to maintain their momentum as they prepare for upcoming Champions League fixtures, while Willem II must regroup quickly to address their ongoing struggles as they face a tough schedule in the remaining weeks of the season.
In summary, Ajax's ability to turn the game around in the final moments exemplifies their fighting spirit and determination, while Willem II's search for form continues, raising questions about their survival in the top flight of Dutch football.
