Ajax Beat Groningen 2-0 to Reach Conference League Play-Off Final

Ajax defeat Groningen to stay on course for Conference League  

Davy Klaassen and 18-year-old Jorthy Mokio scored as Ajax avoided a first season without European football since 2000 and moved closer to the Conference League qualifiers.

Playing away from the Johan Cruyff ArenA due to Harry Styles concerts, Ajax overcame Groningen at Volendam’s Kras Stadion to set up a place in Sunday’s final...

Ajax moved within one game of reaching the UEFA Conference League qualifiers after a 2-0 win against FC Groningen in Thursday’s Eredivisie play-off semifinal.

The Amsterdam side were forced into the play-offs after a 0-0 draw with sc Heerenveen last weekend. Finishing fifth in the Eredivisie meant the play-offs were their only route into Europe next season.

To avoid going a year without European football for the first time since 2000, Ajax had to get past Groningen in the semifinal. The match was not played at the Johan Cruyff ArenA due to 10 Harry Styles concerts scheduled at the venue. Instead, the game was moved to FC Volendam’s Kras Stadion.

Without Ko Itakura and Josip Sutalo due to injury, Ajax initially looked set for a quick start. Mika Godts struck a superb volley past Etienne Vaessen off the crossbar, but the goal was ruled out for offside.

V̷o̷l̷ ̷o̷p̷ ̷d̷e̷ ̷p̷a̷n̷t̷o̷f̷f̷e̷l̷ Beheerst binnenschuiven 🥅#ajagro pic.twitter.com/5lLOsJEtje

— ESPN NL (@ESPNnl) May 21, 2026

Davy Klaassen, known as ‘Mister 1-0’, broke the deadlock in the 24th minute. He headed home a cross from Godts to give Ajax the lead.

The team created several of its best chances in months during the first half. Wout Weghorst thought he had scored, only to be flagged offside, and he later missed a one-on-one opportunity.

Eighteen-year-old Jorthy Mokio doubled Ajax’s lead ten minutes after half-time with a clean half-volley past Vaessen. Groningen offered little in response throughout the game in Volendam.

On to Sunday we go ❌❌❌#ajagro pic.twitter.com/2cEJH6aM1W

— AFC Ajax (@AFCAjax) May 21, 2026

Groningen also had a goal chalked off for offside later on. With that, Ajax sealed their place in Sunday’s play-off final.