On a difficult pitch, Ajax struggled in the first half, creating little danger while Fortuna hit the post from a quickly taken free kick.
In the second half, Fortuna Sittard struck the woodwork again. Syb van Ottele fired a long-range effort at Ajax’s goal, but his shot crashed against the crossbar.
Shortly after, Ajax found the breakthrough. Wout Weghorst tapped in a rebound after Steven Berghuis missed a penalty. After a long period of uncertainty, the goal was eventually awarded. Initially, referee Higler checked with VAR for a penalty following a foul on Weghorst, and the ball was placed on the spot.
Berghuis missed the penalty, and another check was required to confirm that no Ajax player had encroached too early—this was not the case.
The decisive goal came in stoppage time. The Danish forward broke free on the edge of offside and calmly slotted the ball home: 0-2.
Fortuna Sittard - Ajax 0-2 (0-0)
68. Weghorst 0-1
90+4. Rasmussen 0-2
Ajax: Pasveer, Gaaei, Sutalo, Baas, Mokio, Fitz-Jim (83. Rugani), Henderson (46. Klaassen), Taylor, Traoré (58. Edvardsen), Brobbey (58. Weghorst), Berghuis (83. Rasmussen)
