Ajax stages gritty comeback against Willem II to maintain Eredivisie Lead
Dutch Eredivisie giants AFC Ajax overcame a surprise first-half deficit to secure a 2-1 comeback win against Willem IIon Sunday, preserving their 9-point lead at the top of the Eredivisie table with just five rounds to play.
Despite being the runaway league leaders, Ajax found themselves trailing 1-0 at halftime in Tilburg, courtesy of an Emilio Kehrer strike in the 41st minute. But second-half goals from substitutes Oliver Edvardsen and Wout Weghorstturned the tide and powered the Amsterdammers to their 23rd win of the 2024/25 Eredivisie season.
Frustration to Redemption: Ajax Grind Out Another Crucial Win
With PSV Eindhoven cruising to a 5-0 victory over Almere City on Saturday night, Ajax were under pressure to respond. Manager Francesco Farioli welcomed back Jordan Henderson, Anton Gaaei, and Brian Brobbey into the starting XI, hoping to keep Ajax on course for a record-extending 37th Eredivisie title.
However, it was Willem II — winless in Eredivisie action in 2025 — who struck first. A misjudged passage of play saw Jeremy Bokila set up Kehrer, who rifled a low shot past Matheus to give the 16th-placed underdogs a surprise lead before halftime.
Ajax had plenty of possession but struggled in the final third. The visitors attempted 44 crosses in the match but completed only 20%, failing to seriously threaten Willem II’s defensive line in the opening 60 minutes.
Super Subs Save the Day
The breakthrough finally came after Farioli shuffled the deck. Brobbey and Bertrand Traoré made way for Weghorstand Steven Berghuis, while Oliver Edvardsen was introduced shortly after to inject more attacking intent.
The changes paid immediate dividends. In the 70th minute, Berghuis whipped in a dangerous ball that Edvardsen dispatched with authority — his first Eredivisie goal in Ajax colors. Just eight minutes later, Weghorst — ever the clutch performer — latched onto a loose ball in the box and calmly slotted past Thomas Didillon-Hodl to complete the turnaround.
Weghorst's strike marked Ajax's 21st goal by a substitute this season — a new Eredivisie record, underlining the club’s incredible depth.
Late Drama Denied by VAR
Willem II almost had a lifeline in added time when Kian Fitz-Jim and Kehrer clashed inside the box. But after a brief VAR review by Alex Bos, referee Marc Nagtegaal waved play on, much to the frustration of the home crowd.
By full-time, Ajax had tallied 29 shots, 11 corners, and a whopping 69 touches in the opposition box, proving just how dominant they were despite the nervy moments.
Eredivisie Standings: Ajax March Toward Title No. 37
With five matches remaining, Ajax stay firmly in the driver’s seat for Eredivisie glory. Their 9-point cushion over second-placed PSV keeps the title race in their control.
Meanwhile, Willem II’s woes continue, having earned just two points in 2025 and still seeking their first win of the calendar year.
SportsLigue