Brighton celebrated their inaugural European victory with goals from Joao Pedro and Ansu Fati, securing a memorable win against a struggling Ajax in the UEFA Europa League. As a result, The Seagulls have elevated themselves from the bottom of Group B, offering Roberto De Zerbi’s team a genuine chance of advancing to the next stage of the competition with three games remaining.
Brighton’s maiden European triumph saw them convincingly outclass the former European giants, Ajax, with a resounding 2-0 victory at the Amex Stadium, creating a historic evening in the UEFA Europa League.
Despite being four-time European champions, Ajax finds themselves in a rut, languishing in the Eredivisie’s relegation zone and without a permanent manager. Brighton, however, compounded Ajax’s troubles with a composed and impressive performance, which was all the more remarkable considering The Seagulls’ mounting injury list.
Brighton struggled to convert their possession into scoring opportunities during a predominantly one-sided first half. Still, they eventually broke the deadlock when Kaoru Mitoma’s shot was parried back into the path of the onrushing Joao Pedro, who continued to make a significant impact in front of the goal.
Ansu Fati made the game comfortable for Brighton in the second half with a delightful finish.
Brighton had one close call when Steven Berghuis struck the post on a rare Ajax counterattack. However, the Netherlands international was substituted shortly thereafter, seemingly accepting the impending defeat.
As the clock ticked down, Brighton showcased almost exhibition-style football, and the dedicated fans relished this historic win – the club’s first in European competition against one of the continent’s renowned clubs.
Talking Point – Depth Shines Through for Brighton:
Brighton’s injury list is becoming a pressing concern, with Solly March and Danny Welbeck expected to be absent for an extended period. This duo represents just a fraction of a lengthy injury list, with players like Julio Enciso, Jakub Moder, Pervis Estupinan, and Tariq Lamptey also unavailable. Given this context, Brighton’s ability to dominate the game was even more impressive, establishing themselves as the superior team on the night.
This victory revitalizes their Europa League campaign, following an initial one point from the first two matches.
Player of the Match – Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton):
Brighton’s winger was a constant threat down the left flank, often leaving Ajax’s defenders chasing shadows. His moment of individual brilliance led to Joao Pedro’s opening goal, and on a different night, Mitoma could have found the scoresheet himself. With Mitoma in the lineup, anything seems possible for The Seagulls.
