AFCON 2025
Tolu Arokodare scored twice and set up another as Ajax demolished FC Midtjylland 6-1 at the MCH Arena in Herning on Thursday night in the UEFA Conference League.
The result lifts the Dutch giants to their second win of the season in the league phase of the competition.
Arokodare scored the opener nine minutes into the tie with a header continuing the scoring run that began with his late strike off the bench against Atalanta and AZ Alkmaar in the Dutch Erevidisie.
Nigerian striker Friday Etim levelled for the hosts in the 28th minute as he rounded the goalkeeper to draw the home side level. The evening went bad for Danish side before the break as Kjell Wätjen picked up a second yellow card in the 43rd minute and left them with 10 men.
Arokodare punished the numerical advantage early in the second half. He restored Ajax’s lead in the 52nd minute, and the floodgates opened soon after. The striker then turned provider, delivering a pinpoint cross that Owen Wijndal drove in from the left to make it 3-1.
Davy Klaassen added the fourth in the 67th minute, and Arokodare, who had two goals and an assist to his name, was withdrawn shortly afterwards. His replacement, Marcos Leonardo, would have the final say in the rout.
Oscar Gloukh struck in the 75th minute to make it five, before Leonardo came off the bench to net the sixth in the 82nd.
The scoreline restored Ajax’s confidence in the competition after the opening-day defeat at Hajduk Split and the win over Atalanta.
For Arokodare, the performance is further proof that his season-long loan from Wolves is paying off. He has now scored in four consecutive games.
The 25-year-old forward has now scored 13 goals in 16 appearances for Ajax since he arrived the club on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers.
