After the defeat against PSV in the Johan Cruijff Shield, it was important for Ajax to come out strong. That’s just what the Amsterdam side did. The opening phase was nothing short of whirlwind. It only took about five minutes for the ball to end up in the back of the net, with Sébastien Haller scoring the 1-0.
Ajax put the hammer down in the minutes that followed. In the tenth minute, Dusan Tadic provided his hundredth Eredivisie assist, with Noussair Mazraoui heading his pass beautifully past the goalkeeper, Brandenhorst. After the 3-0, an own goal by NEC defender Van Rooij, the Nijmegen resistance was finally broken.
Tadic himself scored both the fourth and the fifth goal. The first of the two goals was assisted by Berghuis, who kept his head up after a quick breakaway. The final goal was perhaps of even greater quality. A corner fell to the side of the box in front of the captain's feet, who caught it on the half volley and rocketed it into the back of the net.
Ajax - NEC 5-0 (5-0)
6. Haller 1-0
10. Mazraoui 2-0
15. Van Rooij (o.g.) 3-0
20. Tadic 4-0
39. Tadic 5-0
Ajax: Stekelenburg, Mazraoui, Timber, Blind, Martínez (58. Rensch), Gravenberch, Klaassen (77. Jensen), Álvarez (77. Labyad), Berghuis, Haller, Tadic (58. Neres)
