Soccer-Last gasp goal keeps alive Ajax’s Champions League hopes

AFC Ajax NV

20/01/2026 22:10

VILLARREAL, Spain, Jan 20 (Reuters) - Substitute Oliver Edvardsen scored in the last minute to give Ajax Amsterdam a dramatic 2-1 away victory over Villarreal that keeps alive their hopes of progress in the Champions League.

Edvardsen buried a cutback cross from flying fullback Anton Gaael in the 90th minute to see the Dutch giants, who had lost their first five group games, come from behind to win a second successive tie which means they still have a chance of finishing in the top 24 with a home game to come against Olympiacos of Greece next week.

Villarreal are eliminated, stuck second from bottom with a single point as poor form in Europe contrasts with their third place in LaLiga.

Tani Oluwaseyi had given the hosts a 49th-minute lead with a superb volley but Oscar Gloukh’s free kick saw Ajax equalise in the 61st minute before they snatched a much-needed three points.

 (Writing by Mark Gleeson in Cape Town; Editing by Clare Fallon)

 ((mark.gleeson@thomsonreuters.com; +27828257807; mark.gleeson.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))