With the early play quiet, Ajax took the lead in the ninth minute. Kenneth Taylor scored the opening goal from an assist by Bertrand Traoré: 1-0. Ajax immediately turned the first major opportunity in the match into a goal.
Ajax doubled their lead in the 24th minute. Traoré broke free and managed a clear shot at the Fortuna net: 2-0.
The visitors were reduced to ten players just before half time. Akpom had broken free in injury time but Rodrigo Guth brought him to the ground so was sent off with a red card.
With eleven against ten, Ajax tightened the screws in the second half and ultimately managed to score three times. Youri Baas scored his first Eredivisie goal following a corner, then Devyne Rensch made it 4-0 in the 71st minute. Mika Godts passed the ball gently through the opposition lines. With Branderhorst anticipating a cross – leaving the near post totally unprotected – it was simple for the Ajax right back to slip the ball in.
The final blow came courtesy of Chuba Akpom, who tapped in from close range: 5-0.
Ajax - Fortuna Sittard 5-0 (2-0)
9. Taylor 1-0
24. Traoré 2-0
58. Baas 3-0
71. Rensch 4-0
87. Akpom 5-0
Red card: 45+1. Guth (Fortuna Sittard)
Ajax: Pasveer, Rensch, Šutalo (46. Rugani), Baas, Hato, Henderson (60. Van den Boomen), Fitz-Jim (60. Klaassen), Taylor, Traoré (66. Weghorst), Akpom, Godts (72. Rasmussen)
