Inter cruise past Ajax in Amsterdam with set-piece precision
Inter Milan kicked off their Champions League group stage campaign with a professional 2-0 away win over Ajax, as Christian Chivu’s men displayed control, structure, and ruthless efficiency from set-pieces in Amsterdam.
The match-winners? Two nearly identical moments from corners — delivered with pinpoint accuracy by Hakan Çalhanoğlu and emphatically headed home by Marcus Thuram. The Turkish midfielder and French striker combined like clockwork, giving Inter full command by the hour mark.
Thuram could have easily walked away with a hat-trick. He initially earned what looked like a clear penalty, only for VAR to intervene and rule that the Inter forward had committed the first foul. Later, in the second half, he spurned a golden one-on-one chance, dragging his shot wide from close range.
Ajax, under pressure to deliver at home, played attractive and high-tempo football. Their organization and technical quality were clear, but so were their finishing woes. Despite several promising spells of possession and a handful of set-pieces, the Dutch side couldn't find a way past Yann Sommer.
The biggest chance for the hosts came in the dying moments. With Inter seemingly in full control, Sommer misjudged a cross and gifted a golden chance to Kasper Dolberg — but the Danish striker somehow fired over the bar from just three yards out. A moment that summed up Ajax’s night.
2025-26 UEFA Champions League
Ajax - Inter 0:2 (0:1)
Goals: Thuram M., 42 (0:1); Thuram M., 47 (0:2)
Ajax: Jaroš V.; Itakura (Sutalo J., 84); Wijndal; Gaaei; Baas Y.; Regeer (Gloukh, 76); Taylor Ke. (McConnell J., 63); Edvardsen O.; Godts M. (Moro R., 76); Klaassen D.; Weghorst (Dolberg, 63)
Substitution: McConnell J. (from 63); Dolberg (from 63); Gloukh (from 76); Moro R. (from 76); Sutalo J. (from 84)
Bench: Heerkens J.; Pasveer; Rosa Lucas; Alders G.; Mokio; Fitz-Jim; Bounida
Yellow Cards: Baas Y. 73
Inter: Sommer; Bastoni; Dimarco (Carlos Augusto, 79); Dumfries; de Vrij; Akanji; Mkhitaryan (Frattesi, 69); Barella (Zielinski P., 79); Çalhanoğlu (Sucic P., 86); Thuram M. (Bonny, 86); Pio Esposito
Substitution: Frattesi (from 69); Carlos Augusto (from 79); Zielinski P. (from 79); Sucic P. (from 86); Bonny (from 86)
Bench: Di Gennaro; Martínez J-p; Bisseck; Acerbi; Martínez L.; Luis Henrique T.L.; Diouf A.
Yellow Cards: Thuram M. 17; Mkhitaryan 67
