Ajax and Shelbourne
Thursday
Ajax defeated Shelbourne 3-1 in the first leg of their Conference League third qualifying-round tie. Mika Godts scored an early penalty before Owen Wijndal and Kasper Dolberg extended the advantage at the Johan Cruyff Arena.
Ajax controlled most of the match and introduced several summer signings from the bench, including Julian Brandt. Shelbourne’s late goal reduced the margin and kept the return leg in Ireland more competitive than the Dutch side intended.