The floodlights illuminated the Tofiq Bahramov Republican Stadium in Baku as two struggling Champions League sides desperately sought their first victory of the campaign. What unfolded was a pulsating encounter that saw Ajax, sitting rock-bottom of the table with zero points, finally break their duck with a thrilling 2-4 victory over FK Qarabag, who had entered the match in 19th place with seven points.
The drama began early when Camilo Durán fired Qarabag ahead in the 10th minute, his left-footed strike from the left side of the box finding the bottom corner after Marko Jankovic's clever assist. Ajax responded with authority as Kasper Dolberg rifled home a spectacular right-footed effort from outside the box in the 39th minute, Sean Steur providing the assist for the Danish striker's equalizer. The visitors' joy proved short-lived when Matheus Silva restored Qarabag's advantage just two minutes into the second half, his right-footed shot from the right side of the box nestling in the top left corner.
The tactical battle intensified as both sides committed bodies forward in search of crucial goals. Ajax dominated possession at 53% but struggled to convert their territorial advantage into clear-cut chances, with Qarabag goalkeeper Mateusz Kochalski producing several crucial saves. The home side's defensive resilience, marshaled by Kevin Medina and Bahlul Mustafazada, frustrated Ajax's attacking forays for long periods.
Ajax registered 20 shots to Qarabag's 17, with both sides testing the goalkeepers eight and six times respectively. The visitors' persistence in the final third eventually paid dividends, while Qarabag's four corners suggested they remained dangerous from set-pieces throughout the contest.
The turning point arrived in the 79th minute when Oscar Gloukh leveled proceedings with a sublime left-footed strike from outside the box, Lucas Rosa threading the assist. The Israeli midfielder had been Ajax's most creative force, and his equalizer sparked a remarkable finale that would define the match's outcome.
Ajax's counter-attacking prowess proved devastating in the closing stages. Anton Gaaei fired them ahead for the first time in the 82nd minute, his right-footed shot from the right side of the box finding the top left corner after Don-Angelo Konadu's assist following another fast break. Gloukh then sealed the victory in the 90th minute, switching to his right foot to curl home from the left side of the box after Mika Godts had set him up on yet another lightning counter-attack.
Ajax host fierce rivals Feyenoord Rotterdam on December 14 in what promises to be an emotionally charged Eredivisie encounter, while Qarabag will look to bounce back from this crushing defeat when they return to domestic action. For Ajax, this victory represents more than just three points – it's validation that their Champions League campaign isn't over yet.