Soccer-Ajax end Galatasaray's long unbeaten streak with Europa League win (updated)

AFC Ajax NV

30/01/2025 22:09

(Adds details)
       AMSTERDAM, Jan 30 (Reuters) - Ajax Amsterdam made sure
of a place in the Europa League playoffs as they beat
Galatasaray 2-1 at home on Thursday and went above the Turkish
league leaders in the final group standings.
    Ajax finished the group in 12th spot while Galatasaray were
14th, also through to the next phase, but saw their 26-game
unbeaten run come to an end.
    Bertrand Traore scored in the 23rd minute to put Ajax, who
started the last night 16th in the standings, ahead before
turning provider for Kian Fitz-Jim 13 minutes into the second
half.
    Galatasaray, whose last defeat was to Swiss club Young Boys
in the preliminary round of the Champions League in August, had
chances to preserve their record but only got a late consolation
from Victor Osimhen in added time.
    Nigerian international Osimhen had been guilty of missing
the target with three good chances while substitute Michy
Batshauyi squandered a sitter.
        Ajax’s opener came after battling play from striker
Brian Brobbey, who with his back to goal and after falling to
the ground, managed to lay the ball off for Chuba Akpom to fire
in a shot that Galatasaray goalkeeper Fernando Musiera parried
to Traore, who neatly tucked away the rebound.
  
        A quick counter-attack led by full back Anton Gaael set
up Ajax’s second, with his cross not properly cleared allowing
Traore to pass the loose ball for Fitz-Jim to finish.
  
        Ajax’s 41-year-old goalkeeper Remko Pasveer surprisingly
wore the captain’s armband instead of usual skipper Jordan
Henderson, who started the game, leading Dutch media to
speculate the former England international may be leaving the
club.
  
        
  

 (Writing by Mark Gleeson in Cape Town; Editing by Ed Osmond)
 ((mark.gleeson@thomsonreuters.com; +27828257807; Reuters
Messaging: mark.gleeson.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))