AFCON 2025
Tolu Arokodare came off the bench to score one goal and set up another as Ajax beat Atalanta 2-0 at the Johan Cruijff Arena on Thursday night. The late win gave the Dutch side their first points of the Conference League campaign.
For long spells, a goalless draw looked likely. Ajax controlled the first half without creating a clear chance, and Atalanta grew into the game after the interval. Arokodare spurned an opening in the 77th minute when he sliced his shot over the bar after a Julian Brandt pass but the Nigerian striker made amends in the 87th.
Youri Baas launched a long ball forward, and Arokodare beat Atalanta defender Obrić to it and ran clear. He kept his composure one-on-one and slid a low finish past Marco Carnesecchi.
Arokodare then turned provider in stoppage time. He squared the ball to fellow substitute Abdellah Ouazane, who cut in from the left and dribbled past Bellanova. Ouazane then drove a powerful near-post shot in off the underside of the crossbar to seal the win.
Atalanta suffered their first defeat of this campaign and stay on three points after two games. They failed to hit the target once, while Ajax finished with 20 shots, six of them on target.
Ajax collect their first three points of the competition, and Arokodare’s goal and assist give them fresh momentum for the next round.
Arokodare has now scored eight goals this season across all competitions.
