Match report
Sparta Rotterdam Stuns Ajax with Thrilling 3-3 Draw in Eredivisie
Sparta Rotterdam
3–3
FT
Ajax
Oct 4, 2025
Sparta Rotterdam stunned Eredivisie giants Ajax with a thrilling 3-3 draw, showcasing resilience and tactical acumen in their home ground. The game saw a rollercoaster of events, starting with Weghorst's early goal for Ajax, followed by three consecutive strikes from Sparta to take the lead. Despite Ajax fighting back through two late goals, including one in injury time, they were unable to secure victory.
Key Facts
- • Final score: Sparta Rotterdam 3–3 Ajax
- • Wout Weghorst scored twice for Ajax at the 42nd and 87th minutes
- • Tobias Lauritsen equalized from a penalty kick at the end of the first half, converting after VAR confirmed it was a valid call
- • Marc van Bergen (52') and Jonas Kitolano (55') scored for Sparta Rotterdam to give them the lead before halftime
- • Oliver Gloukh scored Ajax's third goal in injury time
Lineups
Sparta Rotterdam
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Starting XI
- 1 J. Drommel (G)
- 2 S. Sambo (D)
- 3 M. Young (D)
- 4 B. Martins Indi (D)
- 5 T. Quintero (D)
- 6 J. Baas (M)
- 8 J. Kitolano (M)
- 7 M. van Bergen (M)
- 10 P. Clement (M)
- 11 A. Oufkir (M)
- 9 T. Lauritsen (F)
Substitutes
- 20 F. Bednarek
- 30 P. Kuiper
- 15 M. Kleijn
- 12 S. Bakari
- 13 T. Velthuis
- 14 P. van Aanholt
- 21 L. Duijvestijn
- 16 A. Santos
- 18 J. Toornstra
- 22 J. de Guzman
- 17 S. Ltaief
- 19 N. Thorisson
Ajax
Formation: 4-3-3
Starting XI
- 1 V. Jaros (G)
- 2 L. Rosa (D)
- 37 J. Sutalo (D)
- 15 Y. Baas (D)
- 24 J. Mokio (D)
- 18 D. Klaassen (M)
- 28 K. Fitz-Jim (M)
- 8 K. Taylor (M)
- 7 R. Moro (F)
- 25 W. Weghorst (F)
- 11 M. Godts (F)
Substitutes
- 12 J. Heerkens
- 22 R. Pasveer
- 41 G. Alders
- 30 A. Bouwman
- 3 A. Gaaei
- 10 O. Gloukh
- 16 J. McConnell
- 19 D. Konadu
- 23 S. Berghuis
- 17 O. Edvardsen
- 43 R. Bounida
Timeline
-
42' Ajax Goal · Normal GoalW. Weghorst · Assist: M. Godts
-
45'+1 Sparta Rotterdam Var · Penalty confirmedP. Clement
-
45'+5 Ajax Card · Yellow CardK. Fitz-Jim
Argument
-
45' Sparta Rotterdam Goal · PenaltyT. Lauritsen
-
46' Ajax subst · Substitution 1Off: Lucas Rosa · On: A. Gaaei
-
52' Sparta Rotterdam Goal · Normal GoalM. van Bergen
-
55' Sparta Rotterdam Goal · Normal GoalJ. Kitolano
-
60' Ajax subst · Substitution 2Off: D. Klaassen · On: O. Gloukh
-
60' Ajax subst · Substitution 3Off: R. Moro · On: S. Berghuis
-
66' Sparta Rotterdam subst · Substitution 1Off: A. Oufkir · On: L. Duijvestijn
-
73' Ajax Goal · Normal GoalW. Weghorst · Assist: O. Gloukh
-
74' Ajax Card · Yellow CardM. Godts
Foul
-
75' Sparta Rotterdam subst · Substitution 2Off: J. Kitolano · On: Jens Toornstra
-
77' Ajax subst · Substitution 4Off: K. Fitz-Jim · On: J. McConnell
-
84' Sparta Rotterdam subst · Substitution 3Off: S. Sambo · On: S. Bakari
-
84' Sparta Rotterdam subst · Substitution 4Off: M. van Bergen · On: N. Thorisson
-
87' Ajax subst · Substitution 5Off: J. Mokio · On: D. Konadu
-
90'+9 Ajax Card · Yellow CardO. Gloukh
Argument
-
90' Ajax Goal · Normal GoalO. Gloukh
Match Stats
| Stat | Sparta Rotterdam | Ajax |
|---|---|---|
| Fouls | 8 | 9 |
| Pass Accuracy | 76% | 89% |
| Offsides | 1 | 1 |
| Red Cards | — | — |
| Total Shots | 14 | 17 |
| Corners | 6 | 4 |
| Total Passes | 271 | 576 |
| Yellow Cards | 1 | 3 |
| Blocked Shots | 4 | 6 |
| Shots on Target | 5 | 4 |
| xG | 2.14 | 1.71 |
| Shots off Target | 5 | 7 |
| Possession | 33% | 67% |
| Goals Prevented | 0 | 0 |
| Accurate Passes | 206 | 510 |
| Shots Inside Box | 8 | 10 |
| Saves | 1 | 2 |
| Shots Outside Box | 6 | 7 |
Key Match Notes
- ▸ Ajax took an early lead with Weghorst scoring at 42nd minute, but Sparta responded quickly, turning the game around with three goals before halftime
- ▸ The momentum shifted back to Ajax in the second half as they managed to equalize through two late goals by Weghorst and Gloukh, but were unable to secure a victory despite dominating possession