Ajax were held to a 2–2 draw by Excelsior at the Johan Cruijff ArenA as Julian Brandt and Tolu Arokodare scored for the hosts.
🔥 Ajax Dominate but Drop Two Points
Ajax were forced to settle for a 2–2 draw against Excelsior at the Johan Cruijff ArenA in the VriendenLoterij Eredivisie.
Míchel Sánchez's side controlled large portions of the match and created enough opportunities to claim all three points, but Excelsior repeatedly punished the home side with clinical finishing.
Julian Brandt gave Ajax the lead after 32 minutes, only for Lennard Hartjes to equalise just before half-time.
The visitors then completed a remarkable turnaround when Aymen Sliti made it 2–1 shortly after the restart.
Ajax responded almost immediately. Substitute Tolu Arokodare produced a superb piece of individual skill before firing home the equaliser in the 64th minute.
The final score remained 2–2, despite Ajax hitting the woodwork several times in the closing stages.
🎯 Brandt Breaks the Deadlock
Ajax started aggressively and looked determined to control the match from the opening minutes.
Kasper Dolberg had already gone close, striking the post before Ajax eventually found their breakthrough.
32' — Ajax 1–0 Excelsior
The opening goal arrived through Julian Brandt.
After sustained Ajax pressure, the German midfielder found the space required to finish and give the hosts a deserved lead.
The goal appeared to put Ajax on course for another home victory following their recent five-goal performances against Fortuna Sittard and Willem II.
🧨 Excelsior Strike Before Half-Time
Excelsior refused to allow Ajax to establish complete control.
Just before the interval, the visitors produced their first shot on target — and it resulted in a goal.
45+1' — Ajax 1–1 Excelsior
Following an unfortunate deflection involving Viktor Tsygankov, the ball fell kindly to Lennard Hartjes.
Hartjes kept his composure and finished clinically to send the two teams into half-time level.
It was a huge moment for Excelsior, who had spent much of the first half defending against Ajax pressure.
⚡ Sliti Turns the Match Around
Ajax continued to dominate possession after the break, but Excelsior demonstrated remarkable efficiency in front of goal.
62' — Ajax 1–2 Excelsior
The visitors' second shot on target produced their second goal.
Aymen Sliti arrived at the far post and converted a cross to put Excelsior ahead.
Suddenly, Ajax found themselves chasing a match they had largely controlled.
🚀 Arokodare Responds Immediately
Ajax's response was almost instantaneous.
64' — Ajax 2–2 Excelsior
Substitute Tolu Arokodare became the home side's hero.
After receiving a delivery from Oscar Gloukh, the Nigerian striker produced excellent footwork inside the area before unleashing a powerful finish beyond goalkeeper Stijn van Gassel.
The equaliser restored Ajax's momentum and set up a dramatic final half-hour.
Arokodare's goal was his sixth of the season across all competitions at that stage, according to reports following the match.
🛡️ Excelsior Survive Late Pressure
Ajax pushed hard for a winner.
Gloukh struck the woodwork, while Arokodare also hit the post as the home side continued to create chances.
Excelsior goalkeeper Stijn van Gassel became increasingly important, making crucial interventions to preserve the 2–2 scoreline.
Despite Ajax's pressure, Excelsior held firm until the final whistle.
🧠 Tactical Analysis
Ajax: Dominant Possession, Frustrating Finishing
Ajax controlled the match territorially and consistently moved the ball into dangerous areas.
Brandt operated effectively between midfield and attack, while Gloukh and Tsygankov looked to create openings from advanced positions.
The problem was not the ability to create opportunities but the inability to turn dominance into a decisive advantage.
Ajax's several efforts against the woodwork summed up an evening in which the hosts were repeatedly denied.
Excelsior: Efficiency and Defensive Resilience
Excelsior adopted a more reactive approach.
Rather than attempting to compete with Ajax in possession, the visitors focused on maintaining their defensive structure and attacking quickly when opportunities appeared.
The strategy proved highly effective.
Excelsior had only limited attacking opportunities, but two of their first two shots on target found the net.
That efficiency ultimately secured a valuable point away from home.
📊 Match Overview
| Detail | Ajax | Excelsior |
|---|---|---|
| Final Score | 2 | 2 |
| Competition | Eredivisie 2026/27 | Eredivisie 2026/27 |
| Stadium | Johan Cruijff ArenA | Johan Cruijff ArenA |
| Half-Time | 1–1 | 1–1 |
| Ajax scorers | Brandt 32', Arokodare 64' | |
| Excelsior scorers | Hartjes 45+1', Sliti 62' |
⏱️ Goals Timeline
32' — 1–0: Julian Brandt
Ajax take the lead after controlling the opening stages.
45+1' — 1–1: Lennard Hartjes
Excelsior equalise with their first shot on target.
62' — 1–2: Aymen Sliti
The visitors complete the comeback by scoring at the far post.
64' — 2–2: Tolu Arokodare
The substitute responds immediately with a brilliant individual finish.
⭐ Standout Performer: Tolu Arokodare
Tolu Arokodare made an immediate impact after coming off the bench.
His individual quality produced Ajax's second goal and prevented the hosts from suffering a home defeat.
The Nigerian striker showed excellent composure and strength inside the penalty area, turning Gloukh's delivery into a spectacular equaliser.
📈 What the Result Means
For Ajax, the draw represents two points dropped in a match where the hosts created enough opportunities to win.
The result was particularly frustrating because Ajax had dominated the contest and struck the woodwork multiple times.
For Excelsior, meanwhile, the point represents an impressive away performance built on defensive resilience and clinical finishing.
The match also extended Ajax's difficult recent record against Excelsior. Ajax's official report noted that the Amsterdam club had failed to defeat the Rotterdam side at the Johan Cruijff ArenA in their previous two meetings.
🏁 Final Thoughts
Ajax had the control, the chances and the attacking pressure.
Excelsior had the efficiency.
That contrast produced an entertaining 2–2 draw in Amsterdam.
Brandt gave Ajax the lead, Hartjes and Sliti turned the match around, and Arokodare responded just two minutes after Excelsior's second goal.
In the end, Ajax were left wondering what might have been after several late chances struck the woodwork, while Excelsior left the Johan Cruijff ArenA with a valuable point.
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