Götze Nets Double as Eintracht Frankfurt Dismantles Ajax to Advance to Quarter-Finals

Eintracht Frankfurt is well on track to recreate their stunning UEFA Europa League (UEL) triumph of 2022, following a decisive 4-1 victory (6-2 on aggregate) against Ajax at Deutsche Bank Park. This win secures their place in the quarter-finals, where they will face either AZ Alkmaar or Tottenham Hotspur.

In an unexpected move, visiting head coach Francesco Farioli made ten alterations to his starting lineup from the first leg. However, it was Frankfurt who established dominance early in the match, scoring within the first seven minutes.

Nathaniel Brown capitalised on a misjudged touch from Lucas Rosa, quickly passing to Hugo Larsson, who then set up Jean-Matteo Bahoya.

Despite not appearing to be in a threatening position, a series of clever one-twos and some lackadaisical defending helped the 19-year-old get clear on goal, finishing confidently past Matheus, who is on loan from Braga.

After taking the lead, Frankfurt looked keen to secure the tie before half-time, while also aiming to end a short streak of consecutive home losses that dated back to November 2023.

Following a missed opportunity from striker Hugo Ekitike, they did indeed double their lead.

The hosts benefited from a stroke of luck when Ajax found themselves briefly down to ten men after Daniele Rugani was accidentally injured by his teammate Ahmetcan Kaplan, leaving him requiring treatment for a head injury.

In the interim, Robin Koch’s long ball found Mario Gotze, who had eluded the Ajax backline, and he displayed remarkable skill to slot the ball home.

Going into half-time, Dino Toppmoller’s side may have felt they should have had an even larger cushion, and while Ajax started the second half more promisingly, they failed to test Kaua Santos in goal for Frankfurt.

At the other end of the pitch, Ekitike prompted a superb save from Matheus, pushing Farioli to finally call on his substitutes just after the hour mark in search of an improbable comeback.

However, that comeback never materialised, as Ekitike sealed Frankfurt’s victory impressively, capitalising on a precise pass from Bahoya, nutmegging Kaplan, and curling a beautiful shot into the net.

Although Ajax substitutes Mika Godts and Kenneth Taylor combined effectively to score and pull one back, a calamitous error from Matheus, who strayed too far from his area, allowed Gotze to chip the Brazilian from distance for his second goal of the match.

Ultimately, Frankfurt cruised through the match, marking their 23rd consecutive home game with a goal in style.