Weghorst Penalty Secures Ajax Victory Against Qarabag
Ajax secured a hard-fought 1-0 win over Qarabag in their Champions League Group H opener on Tuesday night, thanks to a penalty converted by Wout Weghorst in the 75th minute. The Dutch giants dominated possession but struggled to break down a resolute Qarabag defense, with Weghorst's spot-kick ultimately proving to be the difference.
A Frustrating First Half for Ajax
The first half saw Ajax control the tempo and create several promising opportunities, but they were unable to find a way past Qarabag goalkeeper Shahrudin Mahammadaliyev. Steven Berghuis came closest to breaking the deadlock, hitting the crossbar with a powerful volley from just outside the box. Qarabag, meanwhile, defended resolutely and looked dangerous on the counterattack, with Owusu Kwabena forcing a good save from Gerónimo Rulli.
Weghorst Breaks the Deadlock
The second half followed a similar pattern, with Ajax pressing forward but struggling to find a breakthrough. However, the game turned on its head in the 75th minute when Edson Alvarez was brought down in the penalty area by Qarabag defender Maksim Medvedev. Weghorst, who had come on as a substitute earlier in the half, stepped up to take the penalty and confidently slotted the ball past Mahammadaliyev, giving Ajax the lead.
Qarabag Push for an Equalizer
Qarabag, despite being behind, refused to give up and nearly equalized in the 88th minute when Kadyrov headed just wide from a corner. However, Ajax held firm and saw out the game to secure their first three points of the Champions League campaign.
Key Takeaways from the Match
- Ajax's dominance in possession was not enough to guarantee a comfortable victory. Qarabag's disciplined defending and effective counter-attacks made life difficult for the Dutch side.
- Weghorst's penalty was a crucial moment in the game. His experience and composure under pressure proved decisive.
- Qarabag showed they are capable of competing at this level. Their defensive organization and resilience will give them confidence going into their remaining group matches.
The victory puts Ajax in a strong position to qualify for the knockout stages, but they will need to maintain their high standards in the remaining matches. Qarabag, meanwhile, will be looking to bounce back from this defeat and secure valuable points in the upcoming encounters.