Kian Fitz-Jim’s stoppage-time strike earned Ajax a dramatic 1–1 draw against AZ Alkmaar at the AFAS Stadium on Sunday.
The midfielder headed home in the 93rd minute to cancel out Wouter Goes’ earlier goal and rescue a point for the visitors.
The result also stretched Ajax’s winless run against AZ to 11 matches, underlining the home side’s recent dominance in this fixture.
New signing Oleksandr Zinchenko was included in the matchday squad for the first time, but coach Fred Grim opted to start Owen Wijndal at left-back.
The encounter carried added significance after AZ’s emphatic 6–0 victory over Ajax in the KNVB Cup just a month ago.
The first half produced few clear chances, with Ajax’s best opportunities falling to Rayan Bounida. His second attempt came closest, but he failed to make clean contact under pressure from Alexandre Penetra.
AZ broke the deadlock seven minutes into the second half. A long throw eventually fell to Mateo Chavez, whose effort was saved by Vítězslav Jaroš, only for Wouter Goes to react quickest and tap the rebound into the net.
The hosts thought they had doubled their advantage in the 66th minute when Troy Parrott finished from close range after a headed assist from Penetra.
However, VAR intervened, ruling the goal out because Ibrahim Sadiq, standing in an offside position, had blocked Anton Gaaei from reaching the ball.
With Ajax struggling to create meaningful chances, AZ looked set to claim all three points. But deep into stoppage time, Oliver Edvardsen delivered a cross into the box and Fitz-Jim rose highest to head past Jeroen Zoet, snatching a late equaliser.
The draw leaves Ajax fourth in the table, two points behind third-placed NEC and three adrift of second-placed Feyenoord. AZ remain seventh, six points behind the Amsterdam side.
