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Ajax edged out Panathinaikos in an epic penalty shootout, winning 13-12 after an astonishing 34 spot-kicks, to advance to the Europa League qualifying play-off round. The dramatic victory came after a tense encounter that ended 1-1 on aggregate, forcing the game into extra time and then a shootout.
The star of the night was Ajax’s 40-year-old goalkeeper Remko Pasveer, who not only saved five penalties but also scored one himself. The decisive moment came when defender Anton Gaaei calmly converted the final penalty, sealing the win for the Dutch giants.
Despite the victory, Ajax endured some nail-biting moments as Netherlands striker Brian Brobbey missed two penalties, with teammates Bertrand Traore and Youri Baas also failing to convert their spot-kicks. Manager Francesco Farioli described the shootout, which lasted a grueling 25 minutes, as “incredible.”
“The spirit and dedication of the team were amazing tonight,” Farioli told Ziggo Sport. “We are not perfect, but we can’t say that the players didn’t give it their all.”
The shootout was the second-longest in European competition history, just shy of Glentoran’s 14-13 defeat by Gzira United in last season’s Conference League qualifying.
The match was forced into penalties after Panathinaikos secured a late 1-0 win in Amsterdam, with Tete’s 89th-minute goal leveling the tie. Extra time failed to produce a winner, setting the stage for the marathon shootout.
“It’s difficult to go into a penalty shootout after a game like that,” Farioli added. “It may have taken a little longer, but we’ve taken another important step.”
Ajax’s hard-fought victory sets up a two-legged play-off against Polish side Jagiellonia Bialystok later this month, as they aim to secure a place in the Europa League group stage.
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