Ajax vs. Feyenoord 2:1 – Last Minute goal lights up ,,The Classic"

Good afternoon from the Dutch Eredivisie – The timeless “De Klassieker” between Ajax Amsterdam and Feyenoord Rotterdam on February 2, 2025, was rightly our Match of the Week. 2:1 (1:0) was the final score for the hosts. Tickets for Ajax Amsterdam at the Johan-Cruyff-ArenA are currently particularly sought after for this game in the Dutch fan scene. 

Ajax Amsterdam vs Feyenoord Rotterdam – Even the last few minutes before this game are worth a football trip in the Eredivisie. 

“Voor onze Club ut Amsterdam” – for our club from Amsterdam, this was the motto of the Ajax fans' choreography in the stands this time. Yes, for that, it’s definitely worth the whole fun!

“We’re going to Amsterdam to win,” said Feyenoord's Danish coach Brian Priske ahead of the press conference. Bold, considering his team came off a 1:6 drubbing from the last Champions League matchday against OSC Lille from France into this hugely important match. 

“There is no favorite in this game”

That Rotterdam was 13 points behind and Ajax four points behind defending champions and league leaders PSV Eindhoven before the game was not an argument for Henderson: “I’ve been around long enough to know that things can change very quickly, either in the right or wrong direction.” 

“For me, there is no favorite in this game,” said my esteemed colleague Karsten Linke, who was live-commenting for the football TV channel Sportdigital (Hamburg), ahead of the match.
True, because from the last 4 “Klassieker” matches across competitions, both clubs won two each, with Feyenoord Rotterdam under successful coach Arne Slot having “de-classified” Ajax in 2023/2024 with 6:0 and 4:0. 

However, Ajax won the last league duel in October 2024 and the cup semi-final in 2023 at “De Kuip” by 2:1 each.

Ajax's Italian coach Francesco Farioli had deployed the 2019 Champions League winner Jordan Henderson in central defensive midfield. Steven Berghuis, Brian Brobbey, and Lassina Traoré formed the attack line in the traditional Voetbal Totaal system of the Amsterdammers, in a 4-3-3 formation.

300 matches in the Eredivisie

The 41-year-old goalkeeper Remko Pasveer played his 300th career match in the Dutch elite league for Ajax Amsterdam in the “Klassieker.” He had also played for Vitesse Arnhem, PSV Eindhoven, Heracles Almelo, and Twente Enschede. 

Feyenoord's German goalkeeper Timon Wellenreuther had the first big action in the game. He saved in the 13th minute just outside the box against Brobbey – thus denying Ajax a great opportunity. After 37 minutes, Brian Brobbey shook the Johan-Cruyff-ArenA from its quiet mode.

Brobbey crowned his 23rd birthday on February 1, 2025, retroactively with the 1:0 for Ajax from less than five meters. A tight call, the goal was borderline offside. 

Weghorst doesn’t make it, but Taylor does

Former Bremen player Davy Klaassen (41') hit the crossbar shortly after for Ajax, but the stadium was now fully alive. The fans of the Amsterdamsche Football Club sinds 18 Maart 1900, the Amsterdam Football Club since March 18, 1900, knew that revenge for the two heavy defeats from the previous season was now within reach. 

At halftime, former Wolfsburg and Hoffenheim striker Wout Weghorst came into the game for Ajax. Higher up, Ajax legend and former CEO Edwin van der Sar took time for selfies with the fans. Former stars of both clubs can be spotted at every “Klassieker” around the stadium. 

But: Even Van der Sar must have experienced better “Klassieker” matches. Ajax’s playing style under Farioli also seemed very Italian in the second half, safety first, very cautious. This doesn’t appeal to everyone in the stronghold of attacking football in Amsterdam…
No wonder, as Quinten Timber (67') shocked with the somewhat surprising 1:1. The Dutchman took over the captain’s armband for Feyenoord after coming on in the 60th minute.

After 72 minutes, the ArenA was in uproar because of a penalty awarded for a foul by David Hancko on the Dutch national player. But once again, a VAR decision was needed. 

Wellenreuther, however, saved the penalty from Weghorst! The ball was shot too casually, causing hair-pulling in the stands. The native of Karlsruhe also saved against Christian Rasmussen (88'), who appeared in front of him after a sprint. 

But that wasn't it! Ajax countered Feyenoord in the fourth minute of stoppage time, 2:1 by Kenneth Taylor, as the name suggests, a Dutchman, after a perfect pass from Anton Gaaei from the right side. 

After that, only the Ajax fans sang, completing a double victory in the “Klassieker.”

When does Ajax Amsterdam play against PSV Eindhoven in 2024/2025?

The return leg against the Dutch champions must be played by Ajax away at the Philips Stadion on March 30, 2025 (26th matchday). 

When is the duel Feyenoord Rotterdam vs PSV Eindhoven?

On matchday 32 (May 11, 2025), there will be a showdown in “De Kuip” between the last two Eredivisie champions, Feyenoord Rotterdam (2023) and PSV Eindhoven (2024).