Ajax are through to the KNVB Cup semi-finals after a 2-1 victory over PSV Eindhoven in Amsterdam.
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After a turbulent week for Ajax, the club finally returned to the pitch with Maarten Stekelenburg coming in for the suspended Andre Onana. For PSV, Lars Unnerstall came in for Yvon Mvogo.
From the start, Ajax were completely dominant and the lead came in the 19th minute. Davy Klaassen played through Sebastien Haller, and the striker calmly lifted the ball past Unnerstall and into the net.
Haller then added a second with a clinical finish from a Dusan Tadic cross in the 24th minute. The goals just highlighted how bad a mistake it was for Ajax to leave the forward out of their Europa League squad.
PSV were poor but they did get a big chance to pull one back when Donyell Malen found himself through on goal, but he dragged his shot wide. Just before the break, Ajax had a great chance to make it 3-0 but they could not put the ball into the net via Klaassen.
Just before the hour-mark, PSV pulled one back as Denzel Dumfries found space in the box before his cross was diverted into his own net by Jurrien Timber.
PSV were more threatening but Ajax also had chances with Pablo Rosario having to clear a Klaassen effort off the line while David Neres fired wide.
Tensions rose in the final moments with Malen clashing with Tagliafico, resulting in a bit of handbags. In the final moment, PSV could have equalised but Dumfries couldn’t find the net.
Ajax progress to the final four of the cup and can start to dream of a domestic double. PSV can now only focus on the Eredivisie and Europa League.
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