UCL: Inter Milan Edges Ajax 2-0 in Champions League Opener

Thuram's brace secures win for Inter against Ajax

Inter Milan kicks off its Champions League campaign with a 2-0 win over Ajax Amsterdam. Marcus Thuram scores a brace, securing a strong start for the Italian side.

Inter took the lead a minute after Godts' missed chance, courtesy of Marcus Thuram's header from Hakan Calhanoglu's corner kick...

Inter Milan cruised to a 2-0 victory over Ajax in their Champions League opener at the Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam. Last year's losing finalists had little trouble overcoming the Dutch giants, with Marcus Thuram scoring a brace of headers to seal the win. Thuram's clinical finishing from Hakan Calhanoglu's precise corner kicks proved decisive, catching the Ajax defense off guard.

Ajax manager John Heitinga's lineup choices raised eyebrows, with expensive summer signings Oscar Gloukh, Raul Moro, and Kasper Dolberg starting on the bench. Instead, Youri Regeer, Oliver Edvardsen, and Wout Weghorst led the Ajax charge. Despite some promising moments, Ajax struggled to create clear-cut chances against Inter's solid defense.

Inter was without star striker Lautaro Martinez due to fitness issues, but 20-year-old Pio Esposito stepped up alongside Marcus Thuram to make an impact. Thuram's impressive performance silenced critics who questioned his commitment after a recent derby controversy. With this win, Inter begins their Champions League campaign on a high note, while Ajax faces an uphill battle to get their campaign back on track.

The match between Ajax and Inter Milan started quietly, but things heated up around the 34th minute. Referee Michael Oliver initially awarded Inter a penalty when Ajax defender Youri Baas was deemed to have pulled Marcus Thuram's shirt. However, after a thorough review, the VAR team led by Taylor overturned the decision, instead penalizing Thuram for pulling Baas's shirt. This crucial call kept Ajax in the game.

Thuram inspires Inter ⚫️🔵#UCL pic.twitter.com/WF341hxfw9

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) September 17, 2025

Ajax had a golden opportunity to take the lead just a few minutes later. Oliver Edvardsen's precise long pass found Mika Godts, who found himself one-on-one with Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer. Unfortunately for Ajax, Godts' shot was too weak and directed at Sommer's near post, allowing the Swiss goalkeeper to make an easy save. This missed chance proved costly, as Inter capitalized on their next opportunity.

Inter took the lead a minute after Godts' missed chance, courtesy of Marcus Thuram's header from Hakan Calhanoglu's corner kick. Thuram was left unmarked and freely headed the ball into the net, giving Inter a 1-0 advantage heading into halftime.

Ajax's chances of winning were significantly diminished after Inter doubled their lead just two minutes into the second half. Marcus Thuram scored his second goal, again heading in a precise corner kick from Hakan Calhanoglu. This made it 2-0 in favor of Inter, leaving Ajax with a tough task to mount a comeback.

The second half saw Ajax struggle to create scoring opportunities, with Inter's defense remaining solid. It wasn't until the 69th minute that Ajax finally managed to get a shot on goal, but it was easily saved by Yann Sommer. Inter, meanwhile, seemed content to maintain their lead, not feeling the need to push for more goals. The match ended 2-0 in favor of Inter, marking a disappointing start to the Champions League campaign for Ajax.

The win puts Inter in a strong position in their Champions League group, while Ajax will need to regroup and reassess their strategy to improve their chances in the competition.

Kasper Dolberg's late chance to score was thwarted when he headed the ball over the bar of a nearly empty goal, despite a fierce duel with Manuel Akanji. Inter Milan comfortably secured their first win of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League campaign, bolstering their bid for a fourth final in five years. Their next challenge will be against Slavia Prague at the San Siro stadium.

Ajax, who hadn't played in the Champions League since the 2022/23 group stage, will look to bounce back from their 2-0 loss to Inter Milan. They'll have a tough task ahead, facing Olympique Marseille in two weeks. The match is scheduled for October 1, 2025, at the Orange Velodrome stadium in Marseille, France, with kickoff at 19:00 UTC. Ajax will aim to pick up their first points in the competition, while Marseille seeks to build on their momentum.