Ajax’s difficult Champions League campaign took another painful turn after a 2-0 home defeat to Benfica at the Johan Cruijff ArenA, a result that deepened the Dutch club’s struggles and lifted the Portuguese side off the bottom of the standings.
It was a night marked by early setbacks, missed chances, and late punishment, leaving Ajax fans frustrated and searching for answers as their team’s European misery continued.
Benfica entered the match still looking for their first points of the group stage, burdened by a disappointing run of results and mounting pressure. Ajax, meanwhile, were desperate for a spark to turn around what has been a turbulent season in both domestic and European competition.
Instead, the opening minutes set the tone for another night of frustration for the hosts.
The match had barely settled when Benfica delivered the first blow. In the sixth minute, Ajax failed to clear their lines after a dangerous cross into the box.
A header from Richard Ríos forced Ajax goalkeeper Vitezslav Jaros into a reflex save, but the rebound fell kindly to Samuel Dahl. The left-back reacted instantly, thumping the ball into the roof of the net before the Ajax defence could recover.
The early goal stunned the stadium and handed Benfica the confidence they needed after weeks of disappointment.
For Ajax, the early setback brought urgency, but not the control or cohesion they desperately needed. The Dutch side enjoyed long stretches of possession, particularly in midfield, where they attempted to dictate the rhythm of the game.
However, their efforts repeatedly broke down in the final third, where poor decision-making and a lack of cutting edge became painfully apparent.
The closest Ajax came to equalizing in the first half fell to captain Davy Klaassen, who found space inside the box and fired a low effort toward goal. Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin reacted sharply, stretching low to push the ball away and preserve the visitors’ narrow lead.
Apart from that moment, Benfica’s defence held firm, snuffing out Ajax’s attacks with well-timed tackles, disciplined positioning, and a clear tactical plan.
Meanwhile, Benfica looked composed and dangerous whenever they ventured forward. Their counters carried threat, and every long pass or diagonal ball stretched Ajax’s defensive structure.
While they did not dominate possession, they controlled the most important moments of the match, picking their spots wisely and forcing Ajax to defend with urgency.
The second half brought more of the same story. Ajax pushed hard early after the restart, eager to find a breakthrough that would shift momentum in their favour. They worked the ball around Benfica’s deep defensive block, probing for spaces that never quite opened.
The home crowd urged them on as they threaded passes and attempted combinations on the edge of the box, but the final touch, the decisive chance, never came.
Benfica remained patient, content to soak up pressure and counter when opportunities arose. Their defensive shape was rigid, forcing Ajax wide and limiting their ability to create clear openings.
As the minutes ticked away, frustration grew in the Ajax ranks. Their passes became riskier, their attempts more desperate, and their back line increasingly exposed.
For Benfica, the longer the match stayed at 1-0, the more confident they became in snatching a late second goal to seal the points. That moment eventually arrived in the 90th minute, delivering the final blow to Ajax’s hopes.
A poor clearance from the hosts found Leandro Barreiro near the centre of the pitch. He quickly combined with Fredrik Aursnes in a fluid one-two move that cut straight through Ajax’s midfield.
Barreiro burst forward with pace, drove past the retreating defenders, and fired a crisp finish into the bottom corner. It was a goal that reflected Benfica’s discipline and efficiency, and it confirmed a well-deserved away victory.
The final whistle brought groans and scattered boos from the home supporters.
For Ajax, this defeat added to a growing list of problems. The club has now lost four consecutive matches in all competitions, and in the Champions League they remain bottom of the 36-team table with no points to show from their opening fixtures.
Benfica, by contrast, will view the night as a potential turning point. After a slow, disappointing start to the group stage, they finally earned their first points and climbed out of last place.