champagne blijft in koeler na late treffer tegen twente
Amsterdam, zaterdag, 4 april 2026.
Ajax zag zateravond de hoop op een europees ticket verdampen na een 1-2 nederlaag tegen fc twente. bart van rooij besliste de wedstrijd in de 79e minuut met een soloactie. wegorth brak de ban na ruim een halfjaar met een kopbal, maar het was niet genoeg. ajax daalt naar de vijfde plaats, twente springt naar de vierde. de achterstand op de tweede plek groeide naar vijf punten. de druk op trainer óscar garcía neemt toe na de zesde nederlaag in negen duels. fc twente hield stand onder constante druk in blessuretijd.
late winner puts ajax european hopes in jeopardy
Ajax suffered a damaging 1-2 defeat to FC Twente at the Johan Cruijff ArenA on April 4, 2026 [1]. The loss drops Ajax to fifth place in the Eredivisie standings, surrendering their top-four position [2]. FC Twente climbed to fourth with 50 points, while Ajax now have 48 [2]. The result leaves Ajax five points behind second-placed Feyenoord, severely hampering their path to Champions League qualification [2]. The match marked the third fixture under head coach Óscar García [5].
twente strikes early and seals victory late
FC Twente opened the scoring in the 18th minute through Ramiz Zerrouki, who struck from outside the penalty area following a swift transition [4]. Wout Weghorst equalized for Ajax in the 32nd minute with a composed finish after receiving a pass from Mika Godts [4]. That was Weghorst’s first league goal since October 26, 2025 [2]. The decisive moment came in the 79th minute when Bart van Rooij scored after being played in by Sam Lammers [4]. The final score remained 1-2 [3].
ajax struggle offensively despite numerical advantage
Despite enjoying 51.1 percent possession, Ajax created limited meaningful chances [3]. Their attacking efforts lacked cohesion, particularly in the second half [1]. Several key players were either absent or subbed off during the match [5]. Oscar Gloukh received a yellow card before being substituted in the 57th minute [4]. Defenders Josip Sutalo and Anton Gaaei were involved in critical errors, with Sutalo failing defensively moments before Van Rooij’s winning goal [2]. Youri Baas blocked a crucial shot attempt by Daan Rots near the goal line [1].
title race implications and upcoming fixtures
The outcome strengthens FC Twente’s hold on a European spot while diminishing Ajax’s ambitions [2]. With five matches remaining, Ajax trail Feyenoord by five points, making a second-place finish unlikely [2]. Feyenoord can extend their lead depending on results in their upcoming match against FC Volendam [2]. NEC occupies third place after defeating Excelsior 2-0 [2]. Ajax next faces Heracles Almelo away, while FC Twente hosts FC Volendam prior to Matchday 31 [2].