UEL: Eintracht Frankfurt Thrash Ajax to Reach Europa League Quarterfinals

Eintracht Frankfurt reach the Europa League quarterfinals with a convincing 4-1 win over Ajax, securing a 6-2 aggregate victory, with Mario Gotze scoring a brace.

Eintracht Frankfurt's quest to replicate their 2022 UEFA Europa League title continues unabated, as they convincingly defeated Ajax 4-1 at the Deutsche Bank Park, securing a 6-2 aggregate victory. This triumph propels Frankfurt into a quarterfinal showdown against either AZ Alkmaar or Tottenham Hotspur.

Ajax head coach Francesco Farioli made a surprising decision, making 10 changes to his starting lineup from the first leg. However, this tactical gamble failed to yield the desired results, as Eintracht Frankfurt swiftly assumed control of the match. The hosts took the lead within seven minutes, setting the tone for a dominant performance.

A moment of laxity from Lucas Rosa proved costly, as Nathaniel Brown pounced on the loose ball. Brown swiftly transferred possession to Hugo Larsson, who in turn fed Jean-Matteo Bahoya. Initially, Bahoya seemed unlikely to pose a threat, but following a series of quick one-twos, clever movement, and some inattentive defending, the 19-year-old found himself bearing down on goal. Bahoya finished with confidence, beating Braga loanee Matheus with a composed strike.

Having seized the initiative, Eintracht Frankfurt appeared determined to put the tie beyond doubt within the first half, while also halting a run of consecutive home defeats that had begun in November 2023. Following a missed opportunity by striker Hugo Ekitike, Frankfurt doubled their advantage. A stroke of fortune aided the hosts, as Ajax were temporarily reduced to 10 men when Daniele Rugani required treatment for a head wound after being accidentally struck by teammate Ahmetcan Kaplan. In Rugani's absence, Robin Koch's long ball forward picked out Mario Gotze, who had cleverly drifted beyond the defense before expertly guiding the ball into the net.

Frankfurt turned on the style 🦅#UEL pic.twitter.com/tWROInoQKx

— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) March 13, 2025

Eintracht Frankfurt may have felt they should have been more comfortably ahead at halftime, given the chances they created. Ajax, however, began the second half with renewed purpose, although they failed to test Kaua Santos in the Frankfurt goal. At the other end, Hugo Ekitike forced a fine save from Matheus, prompting Francesco Farioli to introduce fresh legs from the bench in pursuit of an unlikely comeback around the hour mark.

The comeback never materialized, as Ekitike sealed the victory in style. Jean-Matteo Bahoya's precise pass found his fellow Frenchman, who expertly nutmegged Ahmetcan Kaplan before curling the ball home with a sublime finish. Although Ajax substitutes Mika Godts and Kenneth Taylor combined effectively to reduce the deficit, a moment of hapless goalkeeping from Matheus, who had ventured out of his area, allowed Mario Gotze to lob the Brazilian from distance and score his second goal of the evening.