Ajax missed a good early chance through Bertrand Traoré, but took the lead in the 27th minute. Brian Brobbey held the ball up well and spotted Anton Gaaei sprinting forward. From a tight angle, the Dane struck the ball powerfully into the net with the outside of his foot: 0-1.
Seven minutes into the second half, FC Groningen drew level. Thom van Bergen made it 1-1 with a goal from a cross.
Ajax had to respond – and they did. With fifteen minutes remaining, substitute Wout Weghorst once again proved his value. After a superb curling cross from Steven Berghuis, the striker finished confidently, putting Ajax back on course to finish the round as league leaders.
The Amsterdammers looked to hold on and gained an apparent advantage when FC Groningen were reduced to ten men in stoppage time, with Valente shown a red card for a reckless challenge on Jordan Henderson.
Ajax hoped to see the match out, but it wasn’t to be. Groningen were awarded a free kick in the dying moments, which was headed in at the far post: 2-2.
Due to the draw, Ajax now trail PSV by one point, after the Eindhoven side defeated Heracles. PSV visit Sparta on Sunday, while Ajax host FC Twente.
FC Groningen - Ajax 2-2 (0-1)
27. Gaaei 0-1
52. Van Bergen 1-1
68. Weghorst 1-2
90+9. Blokzijl 2-2
Ajax: Pasveer, Gaaei, Sutalo, Hato, Mokio (64. Wijndal), Fitz-Jim (56. Klaassen), Henderson, Taylor, Traoré (64. Berghuis), Brobbey (56. Weghorst), Godts (77. Regeer)
