Ajax Overcome Early Celtic Pressure and Shine in Second Half
On July 24, 2025, Ajax left little doubt about their intent in the Como Cup, dismantling Celtic 5-1 with an eye-catching performance in the semi-finals. Things didn’t start out easy, though. Celtic came flying out of the blocks, rattling Ajax with two early shots off the crossbar. For a while, a big upset looked possible.
Steven Berghuis broke through the tension in the 16th minute, rifling a long-range effort past Celtic’s defense to give Ajax the lead. But Celtic answered with spirit. Yang Hyun-Jun finished off a lightning-quick counterattack just five minutes later, quickly silencing any Ajax celebrations. With the score level at 1-1 going into halftime, both teams had everything to play for.
Berghuis Brace and Ajax’s Ruthless Attack Seal Final Place
The second half saw a different Ajax. They amped up the tempo and found another gear. Davy Klaassen was first to make an impact, pouncing on a loose ball after a defensive scramble just two minutes after the restart. That goal seemed to crack Celtic’s resolve.
Soon after, Berghuis—clearly brimming with confidence—snatched his second of the night. He took advantage of a poor defensive pass, calmly placing the ball into the net. Ajax’s attacking play started to flow, exposing every Celtic weakness.
If fans needed a moment to remember, Aaron Bouwman gave them one. His thumping shot into the top corner in the 74th minute sent Ajax supporters into full celebration mode. As if that wasn’t enough, Rayane Bounida, coming off the bench, curled in a classy finish from the edge of the box with just minutes remaining. The scoreboard read 5-1—an emphatic statement.
This win was John Heitinga’s fourth at the helm of Ajax, and it showed a team in sync. Early defensive wobbles were quickly sorted, as Ajax’s midfielders controlled the pace and pressed hard when Celtic tried to play out from the back. It was Ajax at their best: fast transitions, unselfish passing, and killer instinct in front of goal.
Celtic just couldn’t cope in the second half. Defensive slip-ups and poor clearances gave Ajax all the space they needed. The Scottish side looked drained as the match wore on, rarely threatening once Ajax pulled ahead.
Now, Ajax get a shot at silverware. All eyes turn to this Sunday, where they'll face Como 1907—led by none other than Cesc Fabregas—for a chance to lift the Como Cup trophy and kick-start their season with a big statement win.