- Brighton & Hove Albion defeated Ajax 2-0 in the Europa League, thanks to goals from Simon Adingra and Ansu Fati.
- Within fifteen minutes, Fati—who had scored in the last match—took the lead.
- Eight minutes into the second half, Adingra’s first goal in UEFA gave the Seagulls a second goal.
Brighton & Hove Albion defeated Ajax 2-0 in the Europa League, thanks to goals from Simon Adingra and Ansu Fati.
Within fifteen minutes, Fati—who had scored in the last match—took the lead. His low shot into the bottom corner sent the traveling supporters into a frenzy of celebration.
Within eight minutes of the restart, Adingra’s first goal in UEFA gave the Seagulls a second goal.
The Premier League team scored two goals early in the game and held on to win the rest of the way to record their first-ever European away triumph.
Ajax is stuck at the bottom of Group B with just two points, while Brighton is certain to finish in the top two after matchday four.
Ajax had a rough start to the season, but after winning their first two games under temporary manager John van ‘t Schip, they appeared to have turned the corner.
Ansu Fati celebrates scoring. Photo/Eurosport
The hosts got off to a promising start, with Steven Berghuis and Kristian Hlynsson both putting in shots that were on target. This was after they had shown some signs of life in their previous two games.
A few minutes after the Berghuis attempt, Brighton’s defense suffered its first of two injuries in the first half when Milner went down and Billy Gilmour took his place.
Nevertheless, such encouraging indications were soon forgotten as the home team allowed Brighton to take the lead in the fourteenth minute.
Adingra was fast to seize a loose bass belonging to Silvano Vos. He then fed Fati, who finished precisely into the bottom corner, giving the Seagulls a crucial lead.
There was virtually little goalmouth activity in the remaining minutes of the first half, but in stoppage time, Adingra forced Diant Ramaj into a near-post save, giving Brighton a chance to extend their lead.
Adingra had put him up before halftime, and in the 53rd, Fati paid it forward to help Brighton increase their lead.
Adingra celebrates. Photo/Brighton
After a deft offensive move, Fati sent the Ivory Coast international in the right direction with a superbly weighted ball, and the player hammered an unstoppable strike into the top corner.
In the last moments, Brian Brobbey struck the ball against both posts for Ajax, while Chuba Akpom forced Bart Verbruggen into action, giving Ajax their first real danger.
Roberto De Zerbi’s team held strong to secure their first away clean sheet of the season, despite a late surge by the home team that proved too little, too late.
Brighton‘s victory earned them first place in Group B and advanced them closer to the competition’s knockout rounds. With seven points overall, they are presently two points ahead of Olympique de Marseille, who still has to play AEK Athens later on Thursday.
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