Ajax have become the only team in this season’s Champions League yet to collect a single point, suffering their fifth consecutive defeat — this time at home against a confident and well-organised Benfica side.

The match took shape almost immediately. A quick goal, as so often happens in European nights, set the tone. After a bright start from the visitors, Georgiy Sudakov curled in a corner from the right in the sixth minute. Nicolás Ríos met it with a firm header, prompting a sharp save from the goalkeeper — but the rebound fell perfectly for Andreas Schjelderup Dahl, who unleashed a stunning strike into the top corner from just outside the box.

Benfica kept the pressure on, with Vangelis Pavlidis twice finding himself in promising positions, but their early momentum eventually faded. Ajax gradually settled and began dictating the tempo, though without creating anything truly overwhelming for the Portuguese defence. Their best moment came in the 33rd minute when Davy Klaassen latched onto a delicate lofted pass and fired a first-time effort from a tight angle — only for goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin to come to Benfica’s rescue.

The second half brought another golden chance for Klaassen. Clean through on goal, the forward mistimed his touch, sending the ball agonisingly wide of the far post. Beyond that moment, Ajax struggled to carve out opportunities of real consequence, while Benfica remained disciplined and patient.

The match was ultimately decided in the 90th minute when David Barreiros burst through one-on-one and clinically fired into the near top corner, sealing a composed and deserved victory for the Lisbon giants.

2025-26 UEFA Champions League

Ajax - Benfica 0:2 (0:1)
Goals: Dahl, 6 (0:1); Barreiro L., 90 (0:2)

Ajax: Jaroš V.; Itakura; Sutalo J.; Wijndal (Mokio, 60); Baas Y.; Regeer (Moro R., 83); Taylor Ke.; Bounida (Gloukh, 75); Godts M. (Dolberg, 75); Klaassen D. (Fitz-Jim, 74); Weghorst
Substitution: Mokio (from 60); Fitz-Jim (from 74); Gloukh (from 75); Dolberg (from 75); Moro R. (from 83)
Bench: Heerkens J.; Pasveer; Rosa Lucas; Gaaei; McConnell J.; Edvardsen O.
Yellow Cards: Weghorst 69

Benfica: Trubin; Dedic A.; Silva A.; Dahl; Otamendi; Ríos; Barrenechea; Aursnes; Sudakov (Araújo T., 81); Pavlidis E. (Silva Manuel, 92); Barreiro L. (Rego Joao, 94)
Substitution: Araújo T. (from 81); Silva Manuel (from 92); Rego Joao (from 94)
Bench: Soares S.; Obrador; Schjelderup; Veloso J.; Prestianni; Ivanović Fr.; Araujo P.
Yellow Cards: Dahl 74