The 2024-25 Eredivisie season will be remembered as one of the most dramatic in football history. Ajax, the most successful club in Dutch football, was on the brink of another league triumph. But in a twist that stunned fans and experts alike, a nine-point lead with just five games to go vanished, culminating in heartbreak during the 99th minute against FC Groningen. This is the story of how Ajax lost the title, a lesson in football’s unpredictability and the importance of never counting your chickens before they hatch.
Ajax’s Dream Season Turns Into a Nightmare
Just a month before the season’s end, Ajax looked unstoppable. They had just beaten Willem II, going nine points clear of PSV Eindhoven. The title seemed all but secured. In fact, data simulations gave Ajax a 99.3% chance of lifting the trophy, a statistic that made their eventual collapse even more shocking.
Ajax needed only a handful of points from their final five matches. Fans were already dreaming of celebrations in Amsterdam, and many believed the team would cruise to their 37th Eredivisie title.
The Collapse Begins
But football is never that simple. The cracks began to show when Ajax suffered a heavy 4-0 defeat to FC Utrecht, a team that had not managed such a result all season. This was followed by a 1-1 draw at home against Sparta Rotterdam, where Ajax conceded a late equalizer in the 95th minute before salvaging a point themselves.
The problems deepened with a shocking 3-0 home loss to NEC Nijmegen, a team sitting in the lower half of the table. Each dropped point chipped away at Ajax’s confidence and lead, while PSV kept winning, closing the gap with every match.
The 99th Minute Heartbreak
The pivotal moment came against FC Groningen. Ajax led 2-1 deep into stoppage time, despite Groningen being reduced to ten men. Victory would have kept Ajax ahead of PSV with just one game left. But in the 99th minute, Groningen’s Thijmen Blokzijl scored a dramatic equalizer. The goal sparked wild celebrations among PSV fans and left Ajax players and supporters in disbelief.
This single moment symbolized Ajax’s collapse: from a position of strength to one of despair, all within the dying seconds of a match they should have won.
Why Did Ajax Collapse?
Collapses like Ajax’s are rare. According to football historians, no team in Europe’s top seven leagues had surrendered a nine-point lead with five games left since 1996. So, what went wrong?
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Pressure and Expectation: With the title seemingly in the bag, Ajax may have lost focus. The pressure to finish the job, combined with the weight of expectation, can affect even the best teams.
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Loss of Form: Ajax’s sudden loss of form was unexpected. Injuries, fatigue, and perhaps overconfidence played a role.
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Resilient Rivals: PSV, instead of giving up, kept fighting and won all their remaining matches, piling pressure on Ajax.
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Football’s Unpredictability: The sport is full of surprises. A single goal, a red card, or a moment of brilliance can change everything.
Lessons from the Collapse
Ajax’s story is a reminder that in football, nothing is decided until the final whistle. It teaches players and fans alike to never assume victory until it’s mathematically certain. The collapse will be studied for years as one of the greatest in football history, not just for what Ajax lost, but for how quickly fortunes can change.
No Villains, Just Football
It’s easy to blame players, coaches, or referees, but sometimes, sport just unfolds this way. Ajax’s collapse was not about a lack of effort or desire. It was a combination of pressure, bad luck, and the relentless drive of their rivals. PSV’s determination deserves credit, while Ajax’s pain is a part of football’s rich narrative.
Final Note
The story of Ajax’s nine-point lead and the 99th-minute equalizer will be told for generations. It is a tale of hope, heartbreak, and the enduring magic of football. For Ajax, the pain will linger, but for the rest of the football world, it’s a powerful reminder: never give up, and never believe the race is over until the very end.
With inputs from agencies
Image Source: Multiple agencies
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