Ajax made it three consecutive wins across competitions by beating Sparta Rotterdam 2-1 away from home on Sunday. Goals from Tolu Arokodare and Abdellah Ouazane secured the victory for Míchel Sánchez’s team at Het Kasteel, extending their positive run following wins over FC Groningen and Atalanta. Jens Toornstra scored Sparta’s only goal.
Ajax moved into second place in the Eredivisie standings with 21 points, overtaking PSV after their victory. They trail leaders Feyenoord by three points and hold a one-point advantage over both PSV and AZ. However, AZ can reclaim second place later on Sunday if they beat FC Twente.
Míchel made several changes to his starting lineup in Rotterdam, selecting Arokodare and Ouazane after both players scored against Atalanta in the Conference League. Winger Viktor Tsygankov also featured from the start, while Oscar Gloukh, Marcos Leonardo, and Davy Klaassen were named among the substitutes.
Ajax dominated the early exchanges but initially found it difficult to threaten the Sparta goal. Baas sent a shot over the bar, and Tsygankov came close to picking out Brandt with a cross. The breakthrough arrived midway through the first half when Ouazane combined with Brandt before collecting the return ball and slotting a finish into the far corner. The 17-year-old forward put Ajax ahead with a well-worked move.
Sparta stepped up the pressure late in the first half and found an equalizer through Toornstra. Babadi picked out the midfielder with a cross from the left, allowing the 37-year-old to beat his marker and head the ball into the net. The goal made the occasion even more memorable for Toornstra, who was making his 500th Eredivisie appearance. He now ranks 11th among players with the most appearances in the history of the Dutch top division.
Ajax regained the advantage before the break with a well-executed attacking move. Kehrer launched a quick transition, and Brandt supplied the pass for Arokodare, who calmly placed his shot into the far-right corner beyond Brouwer to make it 2-1.
Míchel made a change at the break, introducing Klaassen in place of Tsygankov. Sparta responded with a substitution shortly before the hour mark, sending on Mitchell van Bergen for Toornstra. Van Bergen nearly capitalized on a misplaced pass by Brandt, but goalkeeper Marc ter Stegen denied the Sparta forward and kept Ajax in front. Ter Stegen was called into action again to stop a header from Zonneveld.
Substitute Casper Terho came close to rescuing a point for Sparta, but Ajax held firm to preserve their 2-1 lead. The victory ensured the Amsterdam side avoided a repeat of last season’s dropped points at Het Kasteel. Ajax have maintained a perfect record in away matches in the Eredivisie this campaign, winning every game on the road so far.
