Ajax jumped in front on 20 minutes. Jorthy Mokio fed Julian Brandt, who finished right-footed into the low-right corner after a short build on the left. It was a reward for a dominant start and wave after wave of corners.

Shelbourne’s answer came quickly at 24 minutes from a set piece. Evan Caffrey’s delivery set up Rodrigo Freitas, who levelled high to the left with the hosts’ first big moment in Ajax’s box. That lifted the noise and gave the match a proper edge.

On 39 minutes, Anton Gaaei restored Ajax’s lead with a right-foot strike tucked low to the right, a finish that would headline his excellent night. He even clipped the woodwork later, one of three shots that underlined how advanced he played. The second half saw a steadier Ajax without the same volume of corners, but they still kept Shelbourne at arm’s length.

The late swing belonged to the home side. At 85 minutes, Caffrey slipped a pass into Sean Moore, who carried on his left and fired high to the left for 2-2. Daley Blind left at halftime through injury, with Youri Baas stepping in to keep Ajax’s back line ticking. Bookings were controlled overall, with Shelbourne receiving four yellows to Ajax’s two. Both goalkeepers produced a “big save” each in a match that never truly settled.

Anton Gaaei, MVP with a Sofascore Rating 8.4

Anton Gaaei was named MVP and earned a Sofascore Rating 8.4, and it was fully deserved. He scored Ajax’s second, hit the woodwork, and sent three total shots toward goal, one on target and one blocked. His crossing was on point, with 2 accurate from 3, and he created a big chance among 3 key passes.

On the ball, he completed 57 of 62 passes, splitting them smartly between halves of the pitch. He also went 4 of 4 on long balls, which helped Ajax advance play quickly from the right. His 86 touches and 24 ball carries highlighted constant involvement, and he racked up 168.5 meters of carry distance with 112.3 meters of progression.

Gaaei mixed it with the physical side too. He won 8 duels and 4 aerials, adding 5 clearances and 3 tackles, plus 5 recoveries. It was a complete full-back performance that combined production in the final third with the defensive actions you want when protecting an aggregate lead. In short, he set the tone for Ajax’s right flank and backed it up with an end product.

Close behind on the visiting side, Youri Regeer controlled midfield rhythm, while goalkeeper Maarten Paes supplied calm with the ball and three saves. But this was very much Gaaei’s night, and the numbers on Sofascore make the case on their own.

Shelbourne’s effort in focus

Shelbourne’s top Sofascore mark went to late scorer Sean Moore at 7.7. He came on for nine minutes, found one shot on target, and buried it for 2-2 with a composed left-foot finish. It was a sharp cameo that captured the team’s persistence.

Rodrigo Freitas also delivered with a 7.2 and an early equalizer, again off Caffrey’s service. Caffrey was the creative thread throughout, finishing with two assists and two key passes. Captain Kerr McInroy logged 4 shots, put 2 on target, added 3 key passes, and matched the work rate with 7 recoveries and 4 tackles.

At the back, Odhran Casey stood out with a 7.3 after winning 10 duels and 5 aerials, plus 2 interceptions and 2 key passes from deep. Shelbourne’s defensive profile overall was strong: more interceptions, recoveries, and clearances than Ajax. Goalkeeper Eddie Beach made 5 saves and one high claim, helping keep the tie respectable against heavy traffic. The offsides count at six will frustrate them, but it also shows how often they tried to stretch Ajax’s line.