Ajax have eased into the KNVB Cup semi-finals with a 3-0 win at Vitesse Arnhem.

Erik ten Hag was boosted by the return of Daley Blind and Hakim Ziyech, who both took a place on the bench. Lassina Traore begin up front, while Edson Alvarez was in the line-up at centre-back.

Both sides went on the attack from the start with Traore testing Remko Pasveer after ten seconds before a great tackle by Nicolas Tagliafico denied Tim Matavz.

In the 32nd minute, the deadlock was broken by Ryan Babel, who finished after being set up by Traore.

The second half was a messy affair with neither side able to keep the ball until Ryan Gravenberch fired in a second for Ajax in the 76th minute. The midfielder was then replaced by Blind, who made his first minutes since a heart scare.

Ziyech, who was strongly linked with Chelsea on Wednesday, also made his comeback before Dusan Tadic added a third from the penalty spot. Armando Obispo conceded the spot-kick after a handball. Matavz was shown a second yellow card for his reaction to the decision and the hosts finished the game with ten men.

Ajax will meet the winner of Go Ahead Eagles v Utrecht in the last four.




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