Eintracht Frankfurt Dominates Ajax to Advance in UEFA Europa League

FRANKFURT, Germany — Eintracht Frankfurt secured a decisive 4-1 victory over Ajax on March 13, 2025, to comfortably advance to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Europa League with a 6-2 aggregate score.

The match took place at Deutsche Bank Park, where Frankfurt’s early dominance set the tone for the encounter. Just seven minutes in, a defensive error by Ajax was capitalized on by Frankfurt’s Jean-Matteo Bahoya, who delivered a composed finish past Ajax goalkeeper Matheus.

Following their quick start, Frankfurt continued to press as they sought to double their lead. Their efforts paid off when they capitalized on a moment of miscommunication from Ajax’s defense, allowing Rasmus Kristensen to slip behind the backline and finish skillfully, bringing the score to 2-0 before halftime.

Ajax, under the leadership of Francesco Farioli, made ten changes to their starting lineup compared to the first leg. This gambit appeared to backfire, as Frankfurt took full advantage of their opponent’s disjointed play.

After the break, Ajax displayed signs of improvement but failed to challenge Frankfurt’s goalkeeper, Kauã Santos, effectively. Meanwhile, Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitiké solidified the home side’s position with a precise strike, assisted by Bahoya, pushing the score to 3-0.

Though Ajax managed to pull one back with a goal from Kenneth Taylor, it was not enough to alter the outcome. Mario Götze capped the evening with a long-range effort, lobbing Matheus and finalizing the score at 4-1 for Frankfurt.

“We executed our game plan perfectly,” said Frankfurt manager Dino Toppmöller. “The team showed great energy and skill. It’s a fantastic step towards our ultimate goal of claiming the Europa League title once again.”

With this victory, Eintracht Frankfurt continues to build on their success in European competitions, aiming to replicate their triumph from 2022. They will face either AZ Alkmaar or Tottenham Hotspur in the next round, both of whom are formidable opponents.

The match featured a vocal crowd and a notable atmosphere, further lifted by Frankfurt’s offensive displays. The home side’s fans were treated to attacking football, which has become a hallmark of their current campaign.

Frankfurt’s momentum in the tournament provides a promising outlook as they pursue further European glory. In contrast, Ajax will need to regroup and reassess after their exit, with a focus on improving their domestic performance in the Eredivisie.