Ajax got off to a dream start and took the lead after just three minutes through Davy Klaassen. The captain reacted alertly after poor defending from Go Ahead Eagles and slotted the ball into the far corner.
Ajax then had a good chance to make it 0-2, but Kenneth Taylor shot wide. That proved costly, as moments later the equaliser followed. Melle Meulensteen headed in a cross from the right: 1-1.
Ajax struggled in this phase and shortly before half-time even fell behind. In the 44th minute, Evert Linthorst made it 2-1. The Amsterdam side did not leave it at that and drew level again before the interval. Youri Baas reacted alertly in a crowded penalty area and nodded the ball in with his head: 2-2.
During the break, Heitinga made changes, bringing on Oscar Gloukh and Oliver Edvardsen for the start of the second half. Then, after 69 minutes, Kian Fitz-Jim and Lucas Rosa also came on. Those substitutions clearly improved Ajax’s play. As the second half went on, the visitors became increasingly dominant.
An Amsterdam goal seemed to be on the cards, but a third strike never came. The match ended 2-2.
Go Ahead Eagles - Ajax 2-2 (2-2)
3. Klaassen 0-1
20. Meulensteen 1-1
44. Linthorst 2-1
45+3. Baas 2-2
Ajax: Jaros, Gaaei (69. Rosa), Itakura (77. Regeer), Baas, Wijndal, Klaassen (69. Fitz-Jim), Mokio (46. Gloukh), Taylor, Berghuis, Weghorst, Moro (46. Edvardsen).
