Match report

Excelsior Stuns Ajax with 2-1 Victory in Eredivisie Clash

Ajax
Ajax
1–2
FT
Excelsior
Excelsior
Nov 22, 2025

In an unexpected turn of events, Excelsior upset the high-flying Ajax with a 2-1 victory in their Eredivisie encounter on Saturday. Despite early setbacks and yellow cards for Weghorst and Sutalo, Ajax struggled to contain Naujoks' double, which solidified Excelsior's lead. A late goal from Dolberg offered hope but was too little, too late.

Key Facts

  • • Final score: Ajax 1-2 Excelsior
  • • Naujoks scored two goals for Excelsior at the 37th and 46th minutes respectively.
  • • Kasper Dolberg scored Ajax's only goal in the 59th minute.
  • • Weghorst (Ajax) received a yellow card in the 16th minute.
  • • Adam Carlén was substituted off for Hartjes at the 52nd minute.

Lineups

Ajax

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Starting XI

  • 22 R. Pasveer (G)
  • 3 A. Gaaei (D)
  • 37 J. Sutalo (D)
  • 15 Y. Baas (D)
  • 41 G. Alders (D)
  • 6 Y. Regeer (M)
  • 8 K. Taylor (M)
  • 17 O. Edvardsen (M)
  • 10 O. Gloukh (M)
  • 11 M. Godts (M)
  • 25 W. Weghorst (F)

Substitutes

  • 1 V. Jaros
  • 52 P. Reverson
  • 4 K. Itakura
  • 5 O. Wijndal
  • 7 R. Moro
  • 9 K. Dolberg
  • 16 J. McConnell
  • 18 D. Klaassen
  • 24 J. Mokio
  • 28 K. Fitz-Jim
  • 43 R. Bounida
  • 48 S. Steur

Excelsior

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Starting XI

  • 1 S. van Gassel (G)
  • 2 I. Bronkhorst (D)
  • 4 C. Widell (D)
  • 3 R. Meissen (D)
  • 17 N. Martens (D)
  • 23 I. Yegoian (M)
  • 20 L. Hartjes (M)
  • 30 D. Sanches Fernandes (M)
  • 10 N. Naujoks (M)
  • 11 G. de Regt (M)
  • 33 J. Bergraaf (F)

Substitutes

  • 16 C. Raatsie
  • 5 S. Henderikx
  • 6 A. Carlen
  • 9 S. Wlodarczyk
  • 14 L. Schouten
  • 15 S. Janssen
  • 22 S. Mitrovic
  • 25 S. Middendorp
  • 29 M. van Duinen
  • 34 N. El Hamdaoui

Timeline

  1. Ajax
    16' Ajax Card · Yellow Card
    W. Weghorst

    Foul

  2. Excelsior
    24' Excelsior Card · Yellow Card
    I. Bronkhorst

    Foul

  3. Excelsior
    37' Excelsior Goal · Normal Goal
    N. Naujoks · Assist: R. Meissen
  4. Excelsior
    46' Excelsior Goal · Normal Goal
    N. Naujoks
  5. Excelsior
    52' Excelsior subst · Substitution 1
    Off: L. Hartjes · On: Adam Carlén
  6. Ajax
    57' Ajax Card · Yellow Card
    J. Sutalo

    Foul

  7. Ajax
    57' Ajax subst · Substitution 1
    Off: A. Gaaei · On: K. Dolberg
  8. Ajax
    59' Ajax Goal · Normal Goal
    K. Dolberg · Assist: M. Godts
  9. Excelsior
    66' Excelsior subst · Substitution 2
    Off: D. Sanches Fernandes · On: S. Mitrovic
  10. Excelsior
    66' Excelsior subst · Substitution 3
    Off: J. Bergraaf · On: M. van Duinen
  11. Ajax
    76' Ajax subst · Substitution 2
    Off: G. Alders · On: O. Wijndal
  12. Ajax
    76' Ajax subst · Substitution 3
    Off: O. Edvardsen · On: R. Moro
  13. Excelsior
    84' Excelsior subst · Substitution 4
    Off: Casper Widell · On: L. Schouten
  14. Excelsior
    84' Excelsior subst · Substitution 5
    Off: N. Martens · On: S. Janssen

Match Stats

Stat Ajax Excelsior
Fouls 4 13
Pass Accuracy 88% 79%
Offsides 2 0
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 15 8
Corners 9 2
Total Passes 631 360
Yellow Cards 2 1
Blocked Shots 6 1
Shots on Target 5 4
xG 1.44 0.51
Shots off Target 4 3
Possession 64% 36%
Goals Prevented 0 0
Accurate Passes 555 285
Shots Inside Box 10 4
Saves 2 4
Shots Outside Box 5 4

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ Naujoks' early goal at the 37th minute put Excelsior ahead and gave them a crucial boost.
  • ▸ The second goal by Naujoks in the 46th minute effectively sealed Ajax's fate, leaving them chasing the game.