Galatasaray's Unbeaten Run Ends as Ajax Claim Crucial Europa League Victory

Ajax secured a 2-1 win over Galatasaray, ending the Turkish side's 27-match unbeaten run and booking their spot in the Europa League play-offs.

Galatasaray responded to Ajax's second goal with renewed determination, but substitute Michy Batshuayi squandered a golden opportunity to reduce the deficit. Batshuayi blasted a close-range rebound over the bar, and shortly after, Victor Osimhen rounded Remko Pasveer but fired into the side-netting from a tight angle. Despite being the top scorers in the competition, Galatasaray seemed to run out of ideas, which is a concern ahead of their knockout play-off, especially since Osimhen will miss the first leg due to his first-half yellow card.

As the game seemed to be slipping away, Osimhen managed to bundle the ball home from close range after Ajax failed to clear a corner. This was Osimhen's seventh goal in as many matches, but it came too late for Galatasaray to mount a comeback. The defeat extends Galatasaray's winless away run in the UEFA Europa League to seven matches and marks their first loss since August.

Going into the knockout phase play-offs! 🤝#UEL #ajagal pic.twitter.com/OXaSZ77SxE

— AFC Ajax (@AFCAjax) January 30, 2025

The win propels Ajax above Galatasaray in the standings, allowing them to join their visitors as a seeded side in the play-offs. This victory also improves Ajax's impressive head-to-head record against Turkish opposition, with the Dutch side now boasting 12 wins, one draw, and one loss.

Ajax ended their three-match losing streak in the UEFA Europa League with a 2-1 victory over Galatasaray at the Johan Cruyff Arena. The win not only secured Ajax's spot in the Europa League play-offs but also handed Galatasaray their first defeat in 27 matches, denying them a top-eight finish in the process.

The match began with a low-key tone, but Galatasaray eventually gained momentum, posing a significant threat to Ajax's defense. Victor Osimhen, known for his goal-scoring prowess, headed wide from Baris Alper Yilmaz's cross, and later fired wide again after being released behind the Ajax defense. Ajax capitalized on Galatasaray's missed opportunities, scoring the opening goal from the subsequent goal-kick.

Brian Brobbey's exceptional hold-up play allowed Chuba Akpom to cut inside from the left and take aim at the bottom corner. Although goalkeeper Fernando Muslera parried Akpom's strike, Bertrand Traoré was on hand to tuck home the rebound, giving Ajax the lead. Galatasaray emerged from the break determined to equalize, with Gabriel Sara and Kaan Ayhan testing Remko Pasveer from range. However, just as they gained momentum, Galatasaray were caught off guard, and Ajax scored their second goal on the counter.

The 2024/25 #UEL league phase ✅ pic.twitter.com/BGnoQwzie1

— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) January 30, 2025

Berkan Kutlu's mistake allowed Kian Fitz-Jim to pounce on Anton Gaaei's cross from the right, and the Ajax player finished clinically to beat Muslera. The goal gave Ajax a two-goal cushion, and although Galatasaray pushed to get back into the game, the Dutch side held on to secure a crucial victory and a spot in the Europa League play-offs.