Ajax Drop Eredivisie Lead After Dramatic 2-2 Draw With FC Twente
Ajax’s hopes of leaving Enschede with all three points disappeared in stoppage time, when FC Twente converted a late penalty to secure a 2-2 draw. The decisive moment came amid a brief dispute around the penalty spot, after Ajax defender Owen Wijndal was booked for scuffing the surface before Wout Weghorst took the kick.
The incident quickly became a talking point in Dutch football. Journalist Mike Verweij described Wijndal’s conduct as “childish behaviour” on De Telegraaf’s Kick-Off podcast, while also suggesting it was a reaction to the tense circumstances surrounding the penalty decision. The draw had consequences beyond the heated final minutes: Ajax missed the opportunity to remain at the top of the VriendenLoterij Eredivisie table and instead fell to third.
Wijndal’s Penalty-Spot Incident Draws Criticism
With the match deep into stoppage time, Twente were awarded a penalty after Lucas Rosa grabbed Ramiz Zerrouki’s shirt inside the area. As the home side prepared to take the kick, Wijndal approached the spot and damaged the surface. Referee Joey Kooij responded by showing the Ajax left-back a yellow card.
The moment was awkward, but it did not change the outcome. Weghorst remained composed and sent the penalty home to make it 2-2, denying Ajax a potentially crucial away victory. The goal also underlined the risk of letting frustration take over in a decisive moment: Wijndal’s actions drew attention, but Twente’s penalty taker was not distracted enough to miss.
Verweij said on the podcast that the behaviour looked silly and immature, though he framed it as a reaction to the events leading up to the spot kick. Kooij had been called to the pitchside monitor to review a possible handball by Weghorst. That review added uncertainty and tension before the referee’s final decision, helping explain the emotional backdrop without excusing Wijndal’s conduct.
Debate Over Gamesmanship
Podcast presenter Pim Sedee was surprised by the attempt to disturb the penalty spot, arguing that scuffing it before a kick should not be part of the game. Verweij, however, pointed out that the behaviour was not entirely one-sided. He said Twente had also acted similarly at the other end when its players believed Ajax might be awarded a penalty.
That detail broadened the discussion from one player’s actions to the gamesmanship that can emerge in high-pressure matches. Players may try to influence a taker, delay a restart or unsettle an opponent, but such tactics rarely guarantee an advantage. They can instead invite a booking, intensify tensions and shift focus away from the football itself.
Valentijn Driessen also noted that the atmosphere between the teams had remained relatively good despite the incident. In his view, Twente handled Wijndal’s behaviour calmly rather than escalating the confrontation. He nevertheless considered the attempt pointless, particularly because Weghorst went on to score.
How the Late Penalty Changed the Match
The penalty was awarded after Rosa held Zerrouki’s shirt in the box, giving Kooij a clear reason to point to the spot. In a match balanced on a narrow margin, a single defensive lapse proved costly for Ajax. Before the decision, the visitors were on course to take a result that could have strengthened their position in the title race. After Weghorst’s conversion, they had to settle for one point.
For Twente, the equaliser was a reward for staying in the contest until the final whistle. Late goals can have an outsized effect in a league campaign, particularly when the teams involved are competing near the top of the table. The result gave the home side a valuable point, while leaving Ajax to consider how a promising position slipped away in the closing seconds.
The draw also illustrates how fine the margins can be in the Eredivisie. A shirt pull, a video review and a successful penalty can change the standings as well as the mood around a club. Ajax’s drop to third makes every point in their remaining fixtures more significant, while rival teams will view the result as an opening in a closely contested race.
What the Result Means for Ajax’s Title Hopes
Ajax will need to respond quickly, both on the pitch and in the table. The late concession was not simply a matter of bad luck: Rosa’s foul created the decisive opportunity, and the team was unable to protect its lead in the final moments. Managing pressure, defending the box and avoiding unnecessary confrontations will be important as the season continues.
Wijndal’s booking is unlikely to define the entire match, but the episode offers a reminder that discipline matters most when emotions are running high. A defender’s attempt to disrupt a penalty may draw a reaction, yet the taker still has the final say. In this case, Weghorst kept his focus, and Twente’s persistence was rewarded.
Any football prediction about the Eredivisie title race remains uncertain after a result like this. Ajax still have time to recover ground, but dropping points in stoppage time can prove expensive if the leading clubs continue to win. Twente, meanwhile, showed why they are difficult opponents: they stayed composed through a tense finish and took advantage when Ajax made a costly mistake.
The 2-2 scoreline will be remembered not only for the late penalty, but also for the emotions surrounding it. Wijndal’s actions sparked criticism, Twente chose not to turn the exchange into a larger confrontation, and Weghorst delivered when it mattered. For Ajax, the immediate task is to move past the controversy and focus on the football—and on winning the points needed to climb back up the table.
