Eintracht Frankfurt triumphed with a commanding 4-1 victory against Ajax Amsterdam on March 13, 2025, solidifying their spot in the quarter-finals of the Europa League. This decisive win came on the back of their 2-1 victory from the first leg, demonstrating the team’s strong form, particularly following recent struggles in the Bundesliga.
The match began with electric energy as Jean-Matteo Bahoya kicked things off with his first goal for the club only seven minutes in, capitalizing on exquisite teamwork involving Mario Götze and Hugo Ekitiké. Bahoya’s goal was a well-executed finish from inside the box, showcasing the promising talent of the young forward. This early lead set the tone for Frankfurt, who were eager to shake off their recent Bundesliga defeats.
Mario Götze, the star of the evening, compounded Ajax’s woes by doubling the score in the 25th minute. After receiving a stunning cross from Robin Koch, Götze displayed remarkable skill and composure, slotting the ball past Ajax's goalkeeper Matheus Magalhães. Addressing the match afterward, Götze remarked, "If one could paint it, we would take it like this. The game and the result were perfect. We laid the groundwork for today with a strong away game against Ajax."
Despite their two-goal deficit, Ajax struggled to mount any significant response early on, finding it challenging to establish rhythm, largely due to Frankfurt's aggressive pressing and solid defensive organization. It was not until late in the first half when Ajax began to show signs of life. Their attempts were thwarted by Frankfurt's goalkeeper Kaua Santos, filling in for the injured Kevin Trapp, who claimed several close-range efforts before halftime.
After the break, Frankfurt maintained their grip on the match. The pressure paid off when Ekitiké found the net with a clinical shot from just outside the area, extending the lead to 3-0 in the 67th minute. Ekitiké, who had faced criticism for missing penalties and internal conflict recently, finally broke his scoring drought, granting him and the team much-needed confidence.
Even with the scoreline against them, Ajax's Kenneth Taylor pulled one back for the visitors, scoring from distance to make it 3-1 just eleven minutes later. Despite this, any hope of a remarkable comeback was swiftly crushed when Götze struck again. Seizing upon Magalhães’ monumental error—a misjudgment after coming off his line—Götze launched the ball from over 40 meters, finding the empty net for the evening's most spectacular goal in the 82nd minute.
The final score, 4-1, not only highlighted Frankfurt's attacking prowess but also marked the fans’ return to glory, with 57,500 spectators cheering enthusiastically at the Waldstadion. The triumph propelled Eintracht Frankfurt to the quarter-finals, where they are set to face Tottenham Hotspur on April 10 and 17.
After the match, Eintracht's trainer Dino Toppmöller hailed the performance as "the perfect game," emphasizing the need for the team to carry this momentum forward. "We wanted to put our own stamp on the game, not just manage our lead, and I believe we’ve done just this against Ajax." Toppmöller acknowledged the absentees, stating, "With Trapp and Arthur unavailable last minute, the boys proved their mettle."26
Sporting director Markus Krösche expressed his satisfaction, noting the importance of Götze's contributions. "Mario has been pivotal for our young team, and it was rewarding to see him score twice when he had yet to do so for us," he shared.
The 4-1 victory serves as affirmation for Eintracht Frankfurt's aspirations, stirring the hopes of fans for another Europa League title, reminiscent of their previous success three years ago. With their latest showing, Frankfurt has proven they can rise above their Bundesliga challenges, channeling their energy toward European competitions.
Looking forward, the challenge against Tottenham promises to be formidable. Both clubs are wealthy with European experience, and the stakes couldn't be higher. Eintracht remains optimistic, drawing strength from this exhilarating win and the spirit displayed on the pitch. Will they be able to carry this enthusiasm and determination against such renowned competition?
Fans eagerly await the next installment of this thrilling European saga as Eintracht Frankfurt seeks to reaffirm their place among the elite of European football.