Nigerian forward Tolu Arokodare came off the bench to deliver a decisive late goal as Ajax defeated Atalanta 2-0 in the UEFA Conference League, ending the Dutch side’s 14-match winless run at home against Italian opposition, Trybal News reports.
Introduced in the 66th minute, Arokodare made his impact count when he latched on to his own flick and calmly slotted the ball past Atalanta goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi to break the deadlock. Fellow substitute Abdellah Ouazane subsequently struck from a tight angle to seal a deserved victory and secure Ajax’s first points in the Conference League league phase.
Despite his limited involvement in terms of minutes and touches, Arokodare delivered when it mattered most. His match statistics included two shots, four passes attempted with three completed, eight touches and five aerial duels, of which he won three. His goal proved the defining contribution in a contest where Ajax had created numerous opportunities but struggled to find the finishing touch.
Ajax began brightly, with Lucas Rosa’s deflected effort striking the post inside the opening five minutes. The hosts continued to find routes through Atalanta’s midfield, but Carnesecchi denied Jorthy Mokio with a save from the edge of the box and later stopped Oscar Gloukh following an incisive run into the penalty area. Marcos Leonardo also failed to convert a promising attacking move.
Ajax maintained their pressure after the break, with Julian Brandt twice threatening the Atalanta goal, first forcing a save from a difficult angle before sending a header narrowly wide. Atalanta briefly threatened to turn the contest in their favour, but a penalty appeal was correctly dismissed after Davy Klaassen timed his challenge perfectly.
With the game approaching its conclusion, Arokodare provided the breakthrough Ajax had been searching for, before Ouazane put the result beyond doubt.
